Abstract

Telemedicine use among otolaryngologists-head and neck surgeons and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, it is unclear what impact the increased adoption of telehealth will have on the doctor-patient relationship, patients' perceptions of individual practices, and the likelihood of patients proceeding with the next steps toward surgery. While an understanding of these complex questions is imperative for all otolaryngologists, it is extremely important for facial plastic surgeons who focus on elective procedures, particularly cosmetic/aesthetic operations. The use of telemedicine has the potential to reduce bias among patients seeking facial plastic surgery, especially cosmetic procedures. As reports of this phenomenon are anecdotal thus far, we recommend further study into the specific criteria that patients consider when selecting a facial plastic surgeon.

Highlights

  • Telemedicine use among otolaryngologists–head and neck surgeons and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic

  • The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed the way that otolaryngologists interact with their patients, including the widespread adoption of telemedicine.[1,2,3,4]

  • As the COVID-19 epidemic and telemedicine utilization evolve, it is unclear how the pervasive use of this technology alters the doctorpatient relationship, patients’ perceptions of individual practices, and, the likelihood of patients proceeding with the steps toward surgery

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Summary

Introduction

Telemedicine use among otolaryngologists–head and neck surgeons and facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons has accelerated as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has transformed the way that otolaryngologists interact with their patients, including the widespread adoption of telemedicine.[1,2,3,4] As the epidemic has developed, facial plastic and reconstructive surgeons (FPRSs) have focused attention on the implications of telemedicine use for the field of plastic surgery.[2,5] In the facial plastic surgery literature, publications have identified benefits (eg, improved access for patients, health care cost savings, physician wellness, patient satisfaction) as well as limitations (eg, high startup costs, medicolegal concerns, patients lacking access to the appropriate technologies).[1,2,6,7,8] Yet, as the COVID-19 epidemic and telemedicine utilization evolve, it is unclear how the pervasive use of this technology alters the doctorpatient relationship, patients’ perceptions of individual practices, and, the likelihood of patients proceeding with the steps toward surgery.

Results
Conclusion

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