Effect of telehealth implementation on an adolescent metabolic and bariatric surgery program

Abstract

Background: Pediatric severe obesity is a worldwide health concern. Treatment with metabolic and bariatric surgery can reduce morbidity and mortality. The COVID-19 pandemic not only has had a significant effect on rates of pediatric obesity but also has necessitated a rapid transition to virtual medicine.

Objective: We aimed to identify and examine adolescent metabolic and bariatric surgery patient participation rates through our program's virtual telehealth programming as compared with prepandemic traditional in-person clinic appointments.

Setting: This study took place at an academic pediatric quaternary care center.

Methods: We evaluated 92 adolescent patients with a total of 2442 unique encounters between January 2018 and July 2021.

Results: The rate of attendance was found to be greater for telehealth visits (83.1%) than for in-person appointments (70.5%) for all clinics regardless of appointment type (preoperative versus postoperative). Cancellation rates were lower for telehealth visits (9.9%) than for in-person appointments (22.5%).

Conclusion: This study provides evidence that telehealth can be implemented successfully in an adolescent metabolic and bariatric surgery program and can improve attendance rates for all provider and appointment subtypes.

Keywords: Adolescent; COVID-19; Health equity; Metabolic and bariatric surgery; Obesity; Pandemic; Pediatric; Telehealth; Vertical sleeve gastrectomy.