Can video conferencing facilitate better discharge processes and a surperior patient experience?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Video conferencing is emerging as a useful clinical tool. However, utilising video conferencing capabilities to facilitate discharge processes has to date been sparsely researched. This study explores the possibilities of video conferencing to facilitate better patient discharge processes. BACKGROUND: For patients undergoing surgery in a multi-day admission, a standard care scenario requires that their surgeon will review the patient post-operatively to check on their progress. This is usually done by the specialist attending in person before they may be discharged. However, in the Australian setting, most specialists work at multiple institutions. As a results, reviewing ward rounds can be delayed for numerous reasons, which may lead to lower patient satisfaction among other problems. Telemedicine, whereby doctors consult via internet offers a potential solution. Hence, this study answers the research question: "How can video conferencing facilitate a superior discharge process?" The underlying issues to be addressed in this study have arisen from practice to enable a better patient experience. METHOD: A two-arm non-blinded clinical trial is used to assess the benefits of the developed bespoke telemedicine discharge tool. 100 patients will experience current standard care for discharge while the 100 patients in the intervention arm will experience standard care and the developed solution. At the completion of the discharge, all patients will be asked to complete an on-line survey to assess patients' level of satisfaction with their discharge experience. In addition, clinicians will complete an online-survey to assess their experiences with/without the e-discharge option. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed use of the video conferencing capabilities as an adjunct method for surgeons to conduct inpatient post-operative reviews will lead to a higher patient satisfaction, higher doctor satisfaction, higher ward staff satisfaction, greater efficiency of care delivery, discharge time to 70% by 10am, and cost savings.