| Title: |
Safe implementation of index telephone clinic appointments for patients with suspected lower gastrointestinal cancer with concurrent financial and environmental benefits. |
| Authors: |
Wanigasooriya, Kasun; Sarma, Diwakar; Woods, Peter; O'Connor, Paul; Matthews, Adrian; Aslam, Muhammad Imran; Dando, Carolyn; Ferguson, Henry; Francombe, James; Lal, Neeraj; Murphy, Paul; Papettas, Trifonas; Ramcharan, Sean; Busby, Karen |
| Publisher Information: |
Authorea, Inc. |
| Publication Year: |
2021 |
| Collection: |
The Winnower (via CrossRef) |
| Description: |
Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic led to hospitals in the United Kingdom substituting face-to-face (FtF) clinics with virtual clinic (VC) appointments. We evaluated the impact of virtual two-week wait (2-ww) lower gastrointestinal (LGI) consultations on stakeholders at a district general hospital in England. Methods: Patients undergoing index outpatient 2-ww LGI clinic assessment between 01/06/2019-31/10/2019 (FtF group) and 01/06/2020-31/10/2020 (VC group) were identified. Relevant data were obtained using electronic patient records. Compliance with national cancer waiting time targets (WTT) was assessed. Environmental and financial impact analyses were performed. Results: In total, 1531 patients were analysed (median age=70, male=852, 55.6%). Of these, 757 (49.4%) were assessed virtually via telephone; the remainder were seen FtF (n=774, 50.6%). Ninety two (6%, VC=44, FtF=48) patients had malignant pathology and 64 (4.2%) had colorectal cancer (CRC); of these, 46 (71.9%, VC=26, FtF=20) underwent treatment with curative intent. The median waiting times to index appointment, investigation and diagnosis were significantly lower following VC assessment (p |
| Document Type: |
other/unknown material |
| Language: |
unknown |
| DOI: |
10.22541/au.162430470.04174588/v1 |
| Availability: |
https://doi.org/10.22541/au.162430470.04174588/v1 |
| Accession Number: |
edsbas.5AF0B393 |
| Database: |
BASE |