Post-surgical continuity of care from home using social media in a resource limited country
by Naval Bansal; Sanjay Kumar Yadav; Saroj Kanta Mishra; Gyan Chand; Anjali Mishra; Gaurav Agarwal; Amit Agarwal; Ashok Kumar Verma
International Journal of Telemedicine and Clinical Practices (IJTMCP), Vol. 3, No. 2, 2019

Abstract: This study was conducted to analyse if in a resource constraint country, social media can provide a feasible, acceptable and cost effective mode of surgical care in post-operative period? This was a prospective study conducted at Department of Endocrine Surgery, SGPGIMS, Lucknow, India. Total 102 post thyroidectomy patients were offered to choose follow up care either by conventional face to face follow up or remotely through social media (Skype®). Data was analysed using IBM SPSS statistics version 22.0. 76 (74.5%) patients had internet facilities. Out of these 51 (50%) patients opted for conventional follow up whereas 25 (24.5%) patients consented for tele-follow up using social media. Distance from the treating hospital was the significant factor for acceptance of tele-follow up. In tele-follow up group majority of patients (84%) possessed graduate or postgraduate degree, postulating role of education. Average cost and work days saving per visit was $68 and 4.4 days respectively with mean satisfaction score of 4.51 ± 0.601. Even in resource constrained countries, social media can provide an alternative mode of healthcare delivery.

Online publication date: Tue, 04-Jun-2019

The full text of this article is only available to individual subscribers or to users at subscribing institutions.

 
Existing subscribers:
Go to Inderscience Online Journals to access the Full Text of this article.

Pay per view:
If you are not a subscriber and you just want to read the full contents of this article, buy online access here.

Complimentary Subscribers, Editors or Members of the Editorial Board of the International Journal of Telemedicine and Clinical Practices (IJTMCP):
Login with your Inderscience username and password:

    Username:        Password:         

Forgotten your password?


Want to subscribe?
A subscription gives you complete access to all articles in the current issue, as well as to all articles in the previous three years (where applicable). See our Orders page to subscribe.

If you still need assistance, please email subs@inderscience.com