Abstract: PO0855
Bridging Office-Based Care with the Virtual Practice Care Model: Evolving Care for CKD Patients in the COVID-19 Pandemic—and Beyond
Session Information
- COVID-19: Clinical and Basic Science Characteristics
October 22, 2020 | Location: On-Demand
Abstract Time: 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Category: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 000 Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Authors
- Zhao, Bingbin, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Zhang, Lei, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Ji, Peili, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Lin, Jianfeng, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Han, Jianfang, Department of Nephrology, Qinghai Provincial People’s Hospital, Xining, China
- Li, Jiaying, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Zhou, Zijuan, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Wang, Haiyun, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Hong, Xia, Department of Psychological Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Williams, Winfred W., Department of Nephrology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts, United States
- Chen, Limeng, Department of Nephrology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
Background
Since the outbreak of the coronavirus epidemic, the “virtual” telemedicine has become a critical substitute for patient-provider interactions. However, virtual encounters often face challenges in care for high-risk patients such as chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. In this study, we explore the patient's satisfaction and practical effects of a newly established telemedicine program in CKD patients' care during the pandemic.
Methods
We established an online CKD patient care program, including triage strategy, medical care delivery, and psychological support, based on a smartphone application. A total of 278 CKD patients were invited, at least 3 months before the pandemic or during the pandemic. A pilot survey interrogating medical and psychological conditions was conducted. The feedback to the program and the psychological assessment repeated after one month.
Results
Totally, 181 patients showed active responses to the program, with 289 person-time medical consultations occurred during the study. The virtual care program provided a rapid triage, with 17% patients provided a timely referral to in-patient medical encounters. Nearly all patients (97.4%) believed the program was helpful. The number of symptoms (OR 1.309, 95%CI 1.113-1.541; P=0.001) and being enrolled during pandemic (OR 3.939, 95% CI 1.174-13.221; P=0.026) were associated with high stress. After the follow-up, the high-stress CKD group at baseline showed a significant decrease in avoidance score (6.9±4.7 vs. 9.8±1.9, P=0.015).
Conclusion
During the pandemic, we established an online telemedicine care program for CKD patients that provides a rapid triage function, effective CKD disease management, and essential psychological support.