Videoconferencing for the pre-operative interaction between patient and surgeon

We studied the use of videoconferencing for the pre-operative patient-surgeon interaction. Subjects were recruited from otolaryngology patients undergoing surgery at a tertiary hospital. They were randomised to a conventional face-to-face interaction with their surgeon or a videoconference call via tablet computer. Afterwards, subjects and surgeons completed questionnaires about the experience. Various time points in patient flow were also recorded. Thirty-one patients were enrolled and 25 completed the study; five surgeons participated. The mean overall patient satisfaction scores were similar in the face-to-face and videoconferencing groups (9.88 and 9.89, respectively), as were mean interaction times (119 and 82 s, respectively); neither difference was significant. The mean waiting times in the pre-operative holding area were not significantly different between the groups. Surgeons were satisfied with the videoconferencing and 60% indicated they were somewhat likely to incorporate the technology into their daily practice. Overall patient satisfaction with a pre-operative patient-surgeon interaction via videoconferencing did not differ significantly from that for a conventional face-to-face discussion. It is feasible to incorporate videoconferencing into a busy surgical practice and there is the potential for improved efficiency.