Smartphones, computers, and Internet access continue to become more available to both
patients and physicians. As these technologies develop with respect to health care,
opportunities for telemedicine visits continue to emerge. The purpose of this review
article was to analyze the current use and potential applications of telemedicine
in hand and upper-extremity surgery. Although the literature pertaining to the use
of telemedicine in hand surgery is limited, videoconferencing visits may provide benefits
to patients. Particularly in rural and underserved regions, patients can decrease
considerable travel burdens. Potential applications for this technology include remote
inpatient and emergency room consultations, outpatient clinic visits, and postoperative
care. There are unique considerations with respect to confidentiality and security.
As with any new technology, it is important to analyze safety concerns. Future randomized,
prospective investigations are necessary to define the economic implications of telemedicine
programs more clearly within hand and upper-extremity surgery.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: November 09, 2019
Accepted:
September 21,
2019
Received:
April 5,
2019
Footnotes
No benefits in any form have been received or will be received related directly or indirectly to the subject of this article.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 by the American Society for Surgery of the Hand. All rights reserved.
