Open AccessThe use of telemedicine in cardiogenetics clinical practice during the COVID ‐19 pandemic
Author(s) -
Liang Lusha W.,
Kalia Isha,
Latif Farhana,
Waase Marc P.,
Shimada Yuichi J.,
Sayer Gabriel,
Reilly Muredach P.,
Uriel Nir
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
molecular genetics and genomic medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.765
H-Index - 29
ISSN - 2324-9269
DOI - 10.1002/mgg3.1946
Subject(s) - telemedicine , pandemic , covid-19 , medicine , health care , genetic counseling , personal protective equipment , telehealth , family medicine , medical emergency , disease , biology , infectious disease (medical specialty) , economics , genetics , economic growth
Abstract Background The COVID‐19 pandemic has necessitated the rapid and widespread adoption of novel mechanisms of service delivery, including the use of telemedicine. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of COVID‐19 on cardiogenetics practices. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients who were seen for cardiogenetics visits pre‐pandemic (1 April–23 December 2019) and during the pandemic (1 April–23 December 2020) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center. Results Six percent ( n = 6) of visits in 2019 were remote telemedicine encounters, whereas 80% ( n = 106) of visits in 2020 were telemedicine encounters. In 2019, only 18% ( n = 19) of the patients seen for genetic counseling were family members of probands; this percentage increased to 34% in 2020 ( n = 45; p = .01). In 2020, the geographic reach of genetic counseling also extended far beyond New York State, reaching a total of 11 states as well as one patient in Puerto Rico. Genetic testing results were similar in 2019 and 2020. Conclusion Despite the health‐care delivery barriers created by the COVID‐19 pandemic, the use of telemedicine allowed us to expand the reach of cardiovascular genetic counseling and testing.