The use of telehealth during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in oral and maxillofacial surgery – A qualitative analysis

Joshua Lee; Joon Park; Kate Wang; Boxi Feng; Marc Tennant; Estie Kruger

Research Article

The use of telehealth during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in oral and maxillofacial surgery – A qualitative analysis

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@ARTICLE{10.4108/eai.2-12-2021.172361,
    author={Joshua Lee and Joon Soo Park and Kate N. Wang and Boxi Feng and Marc Tennant and Estie Kruger},
    title={The use of telehealth during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in oral and maxillofacial surgery -- A qualitative analysis},
    journal={EAI Endorsed Transactions on Scalable Information Systems: Online First},
    volume={},
    number={},
    publisher={EAI},
    journal_a={SIS},
    year={2021},
    month={12},
    keywords={Telehealth, Oral Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, COVID-19},
    doi={10.4108/eai.2-12-2021.172361}
}

Joshua Lee
Joon Soo Park
Kate N. Wang
Boxi Feng
Marc Tennant
Estie Kruger
Year: 2021
The use of telehealth during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic in oral and maxillofacial surgery – A qualitative analysis
SIS
EAI
DOI: 10.4108/eai.2-12-2021.172361

Joshua Lee¹^,*, Joon Soo Park^1,2,3, Kate N. Wang^4,5, Boxi Feng¹, Marc Tennant¹, Estie Kruger¹

1: International Research Collaborative - Oral Health and Equity, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
2: UWA Dental School, The University of Western Australia, Nedlands, Western Australia, Australia
3: Division of Optometry - School of Allied Health, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia, Australia
4: School of Health and Biomedical Sciences, RMIT University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia
5: Pharmacy Department, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

*Contact email: joshuaminlee1@gmail.com

Abstract

Introduction: Telehealth usage increased especially in the coronavirus pandemic.

Objective: To determine whether oral and maxillofacial surgeons (OMS) believe that telehealth is an adequate substitute for in-person consultations.

Methods: OMS were interviewed. These were transcribed and themes and subthemes coded. Quotes were selected to create narratives about themes and subthemes and a frequency table generated.

Results: 20 OMS were interviewed. There were 200 positive, 215 negative, 9 neutral and 256 unstated comments. Major themes were diagnosis, accessibility, patient-centred care, technology and finances. 34 sub-themes were identified. OMS were most satisfied with accessibility and most dissatisfied with diagnosis.

Conclusion: OMS had mixed opinions regarding telehealth. While it can improve access, the technology, interventional capacity and diagnostic ability are limited. Face-to-face was preferred. Further studies are required to improve telehealth.

Keywords: Telehealth, Oral Surgery, Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, COVID-19

Received: 2021-10-18
Accepted: 2021-11-17
Published: 2021-12-02
Publisher: EAI

: http://dx.doi.org/10.4108/eai.2-12-2021.172361

Copyright © 2021 Joshua Lee et al., licensed to EAI. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution license, which permits unlimited use, distribution and reproduction in any medium so long as the original work is properly cited.