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OpenTrials
Completed

NCT Number: NCT03258177

Virtual Visits (Utilization of Virtual Care in Postoperative Patients to Improve the Patient Experience)

The purpose of this study is to implement and evaluate postoperative virtual care visits for patients who undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or robotic cholecystectomy. The investigators aim to better understand whether postoperative virtual care visits will not result in a greater composite measure of the occurrence of hospital encounters within Atrium Health (AH) for the 30 days following surgery than standard in-person clinic care. The investigators also aim to better understand whether postoperative virtual care visits provide time and cost savings, and provide equal or improved patient satisfaction and convenience.

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Key information

Conditions

Appendectomy, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Robotic

Age range

18 year–90 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Atrium Health- Carolinas Medical Center

Charlotte, North Carolina, 28203, United States

About this study

Participants will be randomized to complete either a postoperative follow-up visit using virtual care technology or by attending a standard in-person visit at the clinic. The virtual visit uses a camera-enabled device and internet access to provide live access to the medical professional. Surveys to assess patient satisfaction and convenience will be administered by email on the day of the postoperative follow-up visit. Additional information including demographics, hospital encounters within 30 days of surgery, length of time of the follow-up visit, travel cost and time, whether additional follow-up care is required, and complications after surgery will be collected to evaluate postoperative virtual care visits. Subject participation in the study will end after follow-up care is complete or at 30 days, whichever occurs last.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Willing to comply with all study procedures and be available for the duration of the study
  • English speaking
  • Able to read
  • Have an email address
  • Scheduled to undergo a laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy or robotic cholecystectomy OR have undergone an unplanned (urgent or emergent) laparoscopic appendectomy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, or robotic cholecystectomy
  • Have surgery performed by a surgeon at either Carolinas Medical Center-Main or Carolinas Medical Center- Mercy who provides emergency general surgery clinical coverage
  • Live in North Carolina or South Carolina

Exclusion criteria

  • Unable to complete a virtual visit (due to lack of appropriate technology, necessary technology skills, other);
  • Medical condition, laboratory finding, or physical exam finding that precludes participation (patients at high risk for complications, particularly those with perforated appendicitis, patients with active cocaine abuse)
  • Postoperative length of stay greater than or equal to 4 days
  • Discharged with drains that need to be removed at a postoperative visit
  • Admitted from or discharged to assisted living facility, skilled nursing facility, or location other than home
  • Have chronic pain for which the participant takes narcotic medication

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Visit

Other

Participants will be given information about how to enroll in virtual care. Participants will use their own camera-enabled device with internet connection to see and speak to the medical professional in real-time and complete the virtual follow-up visit.

Primary outcomes

  1. Composite measure of the occurrence of hospital encounters

    Time frame: from date of surgery until the date of 30 days after surgery

    composite measure of the occurrence of hospital encounters for the 30 days following surgery including all-cause and any-site inpatient, observational, and emergency department visits within Carolinas HealthCare System

Secondary outcomes

  1. Postoperative follow-up visit time length in minutes

    Time frame: date of follow-up visit, approximately 14 days after date of surgery

    total time of postoperative follow-up visit in minutes

  2. Patient satisfaction score

    Time frame: date of follow-up visit, approximately 14 days after date of surgery

    self-reported patient satisfaction rating for follow-up visit assessed by survey

  3. Patient convenience score

    Time frame: date of follow-up visit, approximately 14 days after date of surgery

    self-reported patient convenience rating for follow-up visit assessed by survey

  4. Rate of postoperative follow-up

    Time frame: date of follow-up visit, approximately 14 days after date of surgery

    percent of patients who receive a postoperative follow-up visit

  5. Rate of postoperative no-shows

    Time frame: date of follow-up visit, approximately 14 days after date of surgery

    percent of scheduled postoperative follow-up appointments in which patients do not complete

  6. Patient travel time to clinic in minutes

    Time frame: date of follow-up visit, approximately 14 days after date of surgery

    total patient travel time from home to postoperative follow-up clinic in minutes

  7. Patient cost savings in dollars

    Time frame: date of follow-up visit, approximately 14 days after date of surgery

    Patient gas cost savings for travel from home to postoperative follow-up clinic

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Wake Forest University Health Sciences

Other

Collaborators

  • American College of Surgeons

Registry information

Official study title

Utilization of Virtual Care in Postoperative Patients to Improve the Patient Experience

Important dates

Study start
2017
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Aug 23, 2017
Registry last updated
Aug 10, 2022

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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