Telemedicine in support of post-surgical follow-up: A useful and accessible method, appreciated by the patient, to improve management after gynecological surgery.

OBJECTIVE

This study assesses the feasibility and patient satisfaction associated with the use of telemedicine for postoperative follow-up after gynecologic surgery.

METHODS

At Pesenti Fenaroli Hospital, all patients undergoing not day hospital gynecologic surgery were offered the option of a postoperative televisit. This study analyzed the characteristics of patients who scheduled and completed a televisit compared to those who scheduled a televisit but did not complete it. After the televisit, an anonymous patient satisfaction questionnaire was administered.

RESULTS

A total of 197 patients were enrolled. Among them, 160 completed the televisit, while 37 did not, despite having scheduled one. Being a foreign national was the only independent factor significantly associated with non-completion of the televisit, increasing the risk sixfold. According to physicians' reports, the televisits enabled the prescription of treatments or other medical interventions in 113 cases (70.6%). In the satisfaction survey, 57 (77.0%) patients reported being completely satisfied with the televisit. Nearly all respondents indicated that they would have contacted the hospital department if the televisit had not been available.

CONCLUSION

Telemedicine is a valuable tool for postoperative follow-up in gynecology, and in this study it was found to help avoid in-person visits or department contact in a high percentage of cases. However, targeted strategies are needed to improve accessibility and compliance among foreign patients, who were at higher risk of missing the follow-up.