Randomized Controlled Single-blind Non-inferiority Trial Comparing an Offer of Initial Virtual Visit and Usual Care

The University of Texas System (UT)

Status: Withdrawn

Conditions: Musculoskeletal Diseases

Treatments: Behavioral: Virtual visit

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07093164

2019-11-0170

Details and patient eligibility

About

This randomized controlled trial will address whether there is a difference in satisfaction with treatment plan, satisfaction with the clinician, perceived empathy, patient reported outcomes, and psychological measures among patients randomized to the offer of an initial virtual health or telehealth visit compared to those provided an initial in person visit.

Full description

Virtual visits (video) provide people seeking care additional options. The quality of virtual care resources has improved, making it a user-friendly way to address health concerns. The benefits of virtual visits include no travel time, less time away from work, and no need for dependent care arrangements.

Previous studies found virtual visits to be safe, efficient and accurate for selected orthopaedic patients . An RCT found telemedicine capable of providing a satisfactory standard care in the management of minor injuries. Others suggest that virtual care is an alternative to in person visits for orthopaedic patients in an outpatient setting.

There are concerns that virtual care will represent another commodity that will increase the amount and costs of care without increasing health as was observed for retail care. On the other hand, there is evidence that online care for simple conditions saves money. Also a pilot study showed that online visits appeared to reduce medical costs for patients during a 6-month period after the visit.

This randomized controlled trial will address whether there is a difference in satisfaction with treatment plan, satisfaction with the clinician, perceived empathy, patient reported outcomes, and psychological measures among patients randomized to the offer of an initial virtual health or telehealth visit compared to those provided an initial in person visit.

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 89 years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• English speaking
• Between 17 and 90 years old
• musculoskeletal problem
• New and returned

Exclusion criteria

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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0 participants in 2 patient groups

In person visit

No Intervention group

Description:

Patients will be provided an initial in person visit. Patients that visit in person will complete the REDCap survey after the visit.

Virtual visit

Experimental group

Description:

Patients will be provided an initial virtual health or telehealth visit. At the end of the virtual visit, if patients decide to cancel the in person visit, they will be asked to complete a REDCap survey via text link.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Virtual visit