Raj Mohan Ram Mohan, MD, Sai Reshma Magam, MD, Sai Greeshma Magam, MD, Melvin Joy, MD, Dilman Natt, MD, Leeza Pannikodu, MD, Winghang Lau, MD, Abhishek Tadikonda, MD, Jiten Desai, MD, Krishnaiyer Subramani, MD, Paul Mustacchia, MD, MBA Nassau University Medical Center, East Meadow, NY
Introduction: Colonoscopy is a crucial diagnostic and therapeutic procedure for various colorectal conditions. The quality of colon preparation significantly impacts the effectiveness and accuracy of the procedure. Recent shifts towards telehealth, especially accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitate an evaluation of how different types of healthcare encounters influence the quality of colon preparation. This study aims to compare the incidence of poor colon preparation between patients attending clinic visits and those utilizing telehealth services.
Methods: The study retrospectively collected colonoscopy records from 2010 to 2023, encompassing patient demographics (gender and race), colonoscopy reports, and visit types (clinic and telehealth visits). Data analysis focused on evaluating the relationship between the visit type and the colon preparation quality. The primary variable of interest was the incidence of poor colon preparation, coded as binary outcomes. A chi-square test was conducted to determine if there was a statistically significant association between visit type and colon preparation quality. Proportional differences were visualized using bar charts, box plots, and other statistical graphs to compare the poor colon preparation rates between clinic and telehealth visits.
Results: The study retrospectively collected colonoscopy records from 2010 to 2023, comprising a total population of 3,329 patients. Of these, 64.1% were female and 35.9% were male. The records included 2,370 clinic visits and 959 telehealth visits. The analysis revealed that the poor colon preparation rate was 44.39% for clinic visits and 48.38% for telehealth visits. A chi-square test indicated a statistically significant association between the type of visit and the quality of colon preparation, with a p-value of approximately 0.0396. Thus, telehealth visits were associated with a higher rate of poor colon preparation than in-clinic visit
Discussion: The study highlights a significant association between visit type and colon preparation quality, with telehealth visits showing a higher rate of poor colon preparation than in-clinic visits. This suggests that in-person interactions may provide more effective guidance and support for patients in preparing for colonoscopy. The findings underscore the need for enhanced pre-procedure education and support mechanisms in telehealth settings to improve colon preparation outcomes. Future research should explore targeted interventions to bridge this gap.
Figure: Clinic Visit vs Telehealth Study come
Note: The table for this abstract can be viewed in the ePoster Gallery section of the ACG 2024 ePoster Site or in The American Journal of Gastroenterology's abstract supplement issue, both of which will be available starting October 27, 2024.
Disclosures:
Raj Mohan Ram Mohan indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Sai Reshma Magam indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Sai Greeshma Magam indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Melvin Joy indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Dilman Natt indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Leeza Pannikodu indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Winghang Lau indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Abhishek Tadikonda indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Jiten Desai indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Krishnaiyer Subramani indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Paul Mustacchia indicated no relevant financial relationships.
Raj Mohan Ram Mohan, MD, Sai Reshma Magam, MD, Sai Greeshma Magam, MD, Melvin Joy, MD, Dilman Natt, MD, Leeza Pannikodu, MD, Winghang Lau, MD, Abhishek Tadikonda, MD, Jiten Desai, MD, Krishnaiyer Subramani, MD, Paul Mustacchia, MD, MBA. P0409 - Telehealth vs In-Clinic Visits: Assessing Colon Preparation Outcomes for Optimal Colonoscopy Performance, ACG 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting Abstracts. Philadelphia, PA: American College of Gastroenterology.
