Uro-oncology in the era of social distancing : the principles of patient-centered online consultations during the COVID-19 pandemic
Sosnowski, Roman (Maria Sklodowska Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology (Polònia))
Kamecki, Hubert (Maria Sklodowska Curie Memorial Cancer Center and Institute of Oncology (Polònia))
Joniau, Steven (University Hospitals Leuven (Bèlgica))
Walz, Jochen (Institut Paoli-Calmettes Cancer Centre (Marsella, França))
Dowling, John (Europa Uomo, Antwerp, Belgium)
Behrendt, Mark (Chairman EAU Patient Information, Groene Hart Ziekenhuis - Gouda Afd. Urologie, Gouda, The Netherlands)
Klaassen, Zachary (Department of Surgery, Division of Urology, Augusta University - Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA, USA)
Palou, Juan (Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau)
van Poppel, Hendrik (University Hospitals Leuven (Bèlgica))
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona

Date:	2020
Abstract:	The COVID-19 pandemic poses significant challenges to healthcare facilities and as per social distancing measures, many consultations are now being carried out via means of telemedicine. As some urologists may not be skilled with remote consultations, there is a need for recommendations on patient-centered online medical counseling. We have identified eight areas of excellence and defined the principles based on our experience. A professional setting should be provided, in which the privacy of the patient can be ensured. Accompanying persons should be encouraged into the consultation. Proper introduction could serve not only to verify the personality of the patient, but also to provide them with a sense of confidentiality. The interview should be held in a way to overcome the limitations of non-physical encounters, and pande-mic-specific issues should be taken into consideration. When arranging plans, the physician should judge accordingly in regards to what type of management is inevitable or safe, as well as available at this point; strict follow-up should be arranged. As home isolation may lead to unfavorable changes in lifestyle, this issue should be addressed too. The patient should be guided on how to self-educate. Concluding the visit should be aimed at proper evaluation of the patient's comprehension of the consultation. It is vital to pursue consistency in providing care to patients. While online counseling may seem challenging, if one adheres to the principles of patient-centered practice, telemedicine may become a valuable tool in maintaining the best-quality care amid the ongoing pandemic.
Rights:	Aquest document està subjecte a una llicència d'ús Creative Commons. Es permet la reproducció total o parcial, la distribució, la comunicació pública de l'obra, i la creació d'obres derivades, sempre que no sigui amb finalitats comercials i que es distribueixin sota la mateixa llicència que regula l'obra original. Cal que es reconegui l'autoria de l'obra original.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article de revisió ; Article ; Versió publicada
Subject:	COVID-19 ; Telemedicine ; Social distancing ; Non-physical encounter
Published in:	Central European Journal of Urology, Vol. 73 (july 2020) , p. 260-264, ISSN 2080-4873

DOI: 10.5173/ceju.2020.0171
PMID: 33133650

5 p, 611.9 KB

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Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Health sciences and biosciences > Institut de Recerca Sant Pau
Articles > Published articles