Surgeons Prefer Seeing Patients In-Person for Pre-Op Visits, Not Via Telehealth

July 2, 2024

New research finds that most surgeons want to see their patients in person before surgical operations and that using only telehealth is not a good option for pre-op visits even with relevant medical history, labs and imaging readily available. Those surveyed expressed concerns with using telehealth as the sole means for a pre-operative consultation, with 43% responding that it is not possible to conduct a pre-op physical examination as a video appointment and 58% responding that telehealth carried a greater medical liability risk than in-person visits.

However, surgeons appeared more open to telehealth for post-operative visits with 60% indicating that they would consider using video visits for follow-up consultations with patients who had uncomplicated surgeries.

ISMIE offers general surgery risk tips that outline steps that can be taken to mitigate risk from pre- to post-surgery to keep patients safe. Access this helpful information about general surgery processes inside and outside the operating room.

If you have questions, please contact the Risk Management Division by email.