USF-LVHN SELECT

Comparing Outcomes of Musculoskeletal Radiographs from In-Person and Telemedicine Primary Care Cohorts, April 2019-June 2021.

Publication/Presentation Date

9-13-2023

Abstract

PURPOSE: Musculoskeletal conditions are a common reason for primary care visits, and they are being increasingly addressed at televisits. We therefore examined outcomes of musculoskeletal radiographs ordered at in-person and telemedicine primary care visits, which have implications for patient care and the economic impact of telemedicine.

METHODS: We performed a retrospective cohort study of musculoskeletal radiograph orders placed April 1, 2019-March 31, 2021 at a major academic health system. Radiology reports were classified as normal or abnormal based on the radiologist's impression. Findings were compared using c

RESULTS: The main outcome was radiographic abnormalities. A secondary outcome was the effect of social determinants of health and medical comorbidities on telemedicine utilization. A total of 1580 radiographs were reviewed. Compared with televisits occurring after onset of the SARS-Cov2-19 pandemic, radiographs ordered at in-person visits had higher odds of being abnormal (OR 2.51, 95% CI 1.33-4.75;

CONCLUSIONS: After the onset of the SARS-Cov2-19 pandemic, radiographs ordered at in-person visits had higher odds of being abnormal compared with televisits. These findings indicate that prudence should be applied to ordering musculoskeletal radiographs in telemedicine encounters.

ISSN

1558-7118

Disciplines

Medical Education | Medicine and Health Sciences

PubMedID

37704390

Department(s)

USF-LVHN SELECT Program, USF-LVHN SELECT Program Students

Document Type

Article

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