Editorial Material
Otorhinolaryngology
Arianna Victoria Ramirez, Macaulay Ojeaga, Victor Espinoza, Blake Hensler, Vincent Honrubia
Summary: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many otolaryngology practices have shifted to telemedicine consultations, which rely on patients' ability to use technology, influenced by factors such as age, education, and socioeconomic status. The Rio Grande Valley, a predominantly Hispanic and Spanish-speaking border community in Texas, has faced challenges in accessing telemedicine due to its lower socioeconomic level, highlighting the need for improvements in resource access.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Rachel D'Amico, Patrick M. Schnell, Randi Foraker, J. Nwando Olayiwola, Daniel E. Jonas, Seuli Bose
Summary: This study aimed to characterize sociodemographic differences in primary care via telehealth compared to in-person office visits before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The study found that during the pandemic, patients who self-identified as Asian and Nepali, Medicare-insured patients, and patients living in areas with low socioeconomic status were less likely to use telehealth. These disparities persisted throughout the year. Therefore, it is important to reassess the use of telehealth and advocate for policy changes to improve equity.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Economics
Lindsay Oluyede, Abigail L. Cochran, Mary Wolfe, Lauren Prunkl, Noreen McDonald
Summary: This research explores how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected transportation barriers to accessing healthcare. The study finds that the pandemic has worsened existing barriers while also expanding the utilization of telehealth. Telehealth offers advantages such as increased access to mental health services in rural areas and reduced exposure to COVID-19 for high-risk patients.
TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH PART A-POLICY AND PRACTICE
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Janet S. Choi, James H. Kim, Soyun Park, Matthew Lin, Faiz Abdur-Rahman, Wendy J. Mack, Courtney C. J. Volker
Summary: The study found that patient satisfaction with telemedicine during COVID-19 was not worse than in-person encounters before the pandemic, while physician satisfaction with telemedicine was slightly lower compared to in-person encounters.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2022)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Owen Rhys Hutchings, Cassandra Dearing, Dianna Jagers, Miranda Jane Shaw, Freya Raffan, Aaron Jones, Richard Taggart, Tim Sinclair, Teresa Anderson, Angus Graham Ritchie
Summary: The study described the implementation and early experience of virtual health care for managing patients with COVID-19 in an urban Australian setting. By remotely monitoring skin temperature, pulse rate, and blood oxygen saturation, the study found that community-based virtual health care is safe for managing most patients with COVID-19, with low care escalation rates.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2021)
Editorial Material
Otorhinolaryngology
Tasher Losenegger, Matthew J. Urban, Ashok J. Jagasia
Summary: Rural areas in the United States have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to challenges for rural hospitals in delivering care. Otolaryngology specifically faces difficulties in providing patient access to care while ensuring safe environments. Collaboration between academic medical centers and critical access rural hospitals is crucial for improving care for vulnerable rural populations.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Courtney M. Lattimore, William J. Kane, Mark A. Fleming, Allison N. Martin, J. Hunter Mehaffey, Mark E. Smolkin, Sarah J. Ratcliffe, Victor M. Zaydfudim, Shayna L. Showalter, Traci L. Hedrick
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was more likely to be used by patients from the least socioeconomically distressed communities, with activated MyChart, and with non-government or commercial insurance. Telemedicine users were more likely to be female and have non-government or commercial insurance compared to those who used in-person visits.
Article
Oncology
Michael R. Moentmann, Jared Johnson, Michael T. Chung, Olivia E. Yoo, Ho-sheng Lin, George H. Yoo
Summary: This study examines the impact of the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic on visit volume and telehealth use at a comprehensive cancer center. The rebound in visits from June to September did not compensate for those lost during the initial outbreak, resulting in a 9% decrease in total annual visits across all specialties in fiscal year 2020 compared to 2019. Telemedicine was helpful during the surge, but was not able to fully replace in-person services at the center, with the main strategy being to defer care.
JOURNAL OF SURGICAL ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Leinic Chung-Lee, Cristina Catallo
Summary: This scoping review explored the nature of care, the use of digital technologies, and patient outcomes arising from virtual care among community-based self-isolating COVID-19 patients. The results indicated that virtual care can be safe and improves the illness trajectory through the timely detection of clinical deterioration. Virtual care was delivered through various methods, from low-technology approaches like telephone to higher technology methods such as wearable technology for real-time or asynchronous monitoring. Further research is needed to leverage digital health assets for the delivery of appropriate and safe virtual COVID-19 community care.
Review
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Lauren Cadel, Michelle Marcinow, Jane Sandercock, Penny Dowedoff, Sara J. T. Guilcher, Alies Maybee, Susan Law, Kerry Kuluski
Summary: During the COVID-19 pandemic, most patient engagement activities focused on direct care consultations with patients, utilizing technology for remote appointments, family visits, and community outreach. Technology played a crucial role in facilitating interactions with patients and families across various health systems internationally during this period.
Review
Medicine, General & Internal
Parth Patel, Devinder Dhindsa, Danny J. Eapen, Amit Khera, Martha Gulati, Neil J. Stone, Clyde W. Yancy, John S. Rumsfeld, Laurence S. Sperling
Summary: Telehealth in cardiovascular care has the potential to improve access and patient satisfaction, but challenges such as payment models, data security, depersonalization, and disparities need to be addressed for successful implementation and expansion.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Nursing
Phyllis Ann Solari-Twadell, Margaret Flinter, Betty Rambur, Susan Renda, Stephanie Witwer, Patricia Vanhook, Lusine Poghosyan
Summary: This policy paper reviews the history, use, and significance of telehealth in primary care, and discusses the emergence of telehealth as a primary strategy to provide value-based, timely primary care during COVID-19. It also provides recommendations for future applications, payment, and provider preparation to ensure quality care using telehealth.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Matthew J. DePuccio, Alice A. Gaughan, Karen Shiu-Yee, Ann Scheck McAlearney
Summary: PCPs identified several benefits of remote care delivery for both physicians and patients. They indicated that patients were reassured that they could receive safe and timely care, remote visits were convenient for patients, patients were comfortable receiving care at home, and video visits enhanced patient- and family-centered care during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Article
Pediatrics
Kelsey Schweiberger, Rhea Verma, Samantha Faulds, Charles R. Jonassaint, Gretchen E. White, Kristin N. Ray
Summary: This study aimed to investigate pediatric primary care telemedicine visit scheduling and attendance. Electronic health record data from two academic pediatric primary care practices between April 2020 and March 2021 were analyzed to identify factors associated with scheduled and attended telemedicine appointments. Disparities in scheduling and attendance were found, but there were signs of improving language equity over time.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Janet S. Choi, Victoria Yin, Franklin Wu, Neel K. Bhatt, Karla O'Dell, Michael Johns
Summary: The study showed high concordance in diagnosis and management between initial telemedicine visits and subsequent in-person visits with laryngoscopy for laryngology-related complaints. Post-laryngoscopy management changes may include further imaging, procedures, voice therapy, and referral to specialists.
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Said Izreig, Sina J. Torabi, David A. Kasle, Rahmatullah W. Rahmati, R. Peter Manes
Summary: In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, candidates applying for otolaryngology residency positions believe their evaluation will be different, are generally less confident in successfully matching, and are planning to apply and interview more broadly. Some applicants are concerned that residency programs will not have enough information to make informed decisions, while most doubt they will have enough information to inform their own rank list.
ANNALS OF OTOLOGY RHINOLOGY AND LARYNGOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Amrita K. Singh, David A. Kasle, Sina J. Torabi, R. Peter Manes
Summary: A total of 12 adverse events associated with ClariFix PNN cryoablation were identified and analyzed, with epistaxis and nasal swelling being the most common adverse events. Further studies are needed to clarify the association of PNN cryoablation with epistaxis in certain populations.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2021)
Letter
Otorhinolaryngology
Parsa P. Salehi, Sina J. Torabi, Yan Ho Lee
JAMA OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD & NECK SURGERY
(2021)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Neelima Panth, Sina J. Torabi, David A. Kasle, Emily L. Savoca, Cheryl K. Zogg, Erin K. O'Brien, R. Peter Manes
Summary: The study evaluated geographic and temporal trends in Medicare fee-for-service billing and reimbursements among female otolaryngologists. Results showed that female ORLs received varying reimbursements and had different billing patterns based on graduation decade and geography. Female ORLs with longer careers may receive higher reimbursements with increased clinical volume, while those in urban settings may have lower procedural diversity and clinical volume compared to their rural counterparts.
ANNALS OF OTOLOGY RHINOLOGY AND LARYNGOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sina J. Torabi, Brooke M. Su-Velez, David A. Kasle, Wendell G. Yarbrough, Maie St John, Benjamin L. Judson
Summary: The study found that general public's knowledge about HPV virus, its role in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, and vaccines remains low. The research showed that Black individuals were less willing to vaccinate, but those who were aware of HPV's role in OPSCC were more likely to vaccinate.
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Sina J. Torabi, Rahul A. Patel, David A. Kasle, Kevin Fujita, Naveen D. Bhandarkar, Edward C. Kuan, R. Peter Manes
Summary: This study analyzed Medicare reimbursements for rhinologic procedures from 2000 to 2021 and found that adjusted reimbursements for low- and high-wRVU surgeries decreased by 50.0% and 36.1% respectively. Despite fluctuations, total Medicare payments for these procedures increased over time due to rising utilization.
INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Otorhinolaryngology
Khodayar Goshtasbi, Milind Vasudev, Sina J. Torabi, Kelsey Roman, Arash Abiri, Brandon M. Lehrich, Frank P. K. Hsu, Edward C. Kuan
INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Otorhinolaryngology
Rahul A. Patel, Sina J. Torabi, David A. Kasle, Darpan Kayastha, R. Peter Manes
INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Rahul A. Patel, Sina J. Torabi, David A. Kasle, Darpan Kayastha, R. Peter Manes
Summary: This study analyzed the trends in billing patterns, Medicare reimbursement, and practice-setting for providers performing cerumen removal. The results showed a decline in the number of general physicians and other providers performing cerumen extractions, while there was growth in the number of otolaryngologists (ORLs) and advanced practice providers (APPs). Medicare reimbursement has increased for ORLs and APPs but decreased for general physicians and other providers. Additionally, it was found that ORLs tend to perform cerumen extraction in urban settings.
ANNALS OF OTOLOGY RHINOLOGY AND LARYNGOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Kelsey M. Roman, Sina J. Torabi, Khodayar Goshtasbi, Edward C. Kuan, Tjoson Tjoa, Yarah M. Haidar
Summary: High surgical volume facilities treating head and neck melanoma patients have better overall survival rates and improved surgical outcomes. Surgical volume is independently associated with prognosis.
HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK
(2022)
Editorial Material
Otorhinolaryngology
Khodayar Goshtasbi, Arash Abiri, Sina J. Torabi, Benjamin F. Bitner, Frank P. K. Hsu, Edward C. Kuan
INTERNATIONAL FORUM OF ALLERGY & RHINOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Parsa P. Salehi, Sina J. Torabi, Payoon Salehi
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Sina J. Torabi, Miranda B. An, Jack L. Birkenbeuel, Ashley R. Lonergan, Parsa P. Salehi, R. Peter Manes, Babak Azizzadeh, Edward C. Kuan
Summary: This study aimed to describe the incidence and reimbursement trends of surgical repair of facial fractures among the Medicare population. The results showed a linear increase in the number of surgically corrected facial fractures, with nasal bone/septum fracture repairs increasing the most. The Medicare reimbursement also increased, but the mean reimbursement for all procedures decreased over the same time period.
Article
Otorhinolaryngology
Sina J. Torabi, Benjamin F. Bitner, Eric H. Abello, Theodore V. Nguyen, Brian J. F. Wong, Edward C. Kuan
Summary: We reported national adverse events associated with the use of intranasal radiofrequency devices by querying the FDA's Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience database. A total of 24 device-related adverse events were reported, with complications ranging from tissue necrosis to ocular palsy. Surgeons should exercise caution when using RF devices due to the potential for complications.
OTOLARYNGOLOGY-HEAD AND NECK SURGERY
(2023)
Letter
Surgery
Samipya Kafle, Sina J. Torabi, Parsa P. Salehi, Yan Ho Lee
JOURNAL OF CRANIOFACIAL SURGERY
(2021)