The following is a summary of “Telemedicine in home-based care for COVID-19 patients,” published in the November 2023 issue of Primary Care by Nguyen, et al.
For a retrospective study, researchers sought to assess the efficacy of telemedicine in managing COVID-19 cases, specifically considering the impact of the Delta and Omicron variants. The primary goal was to evaluate the potential of telemedicine in preventing hospitalizations and delivering remote care, taking into account the diverse symptoms associated with these variants and the varying treatment durations.
A total of 336 individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 were included in the study, with 141 (42%) in the Delta-dominant group and 195 (58%) in the Omicron-dominant group. Confirming COVID-19 status was based on PCR or rapid tests, and telemedicine was employed for patient care. Hospitalization was reserved for severe cases requiring intensive treatment.
Most individuals (97.02%) successfully recovered at home, with only 2.98% requiring hospitalization. Intriguingly, all hospital admissions were concentrated in the Delta-dominant group, indicating variant-specific differences. Notably, there were no reported deaths. Individuals in the Delta-dominant group exhibited a higher likelihood of experiencing specific symptoms, such as loss of taste and smell and decreased appetite. Additionally, the group necessitated a more prolonged treatment duration than their Omicron counterparts.
Telemedicine proves to be a secure and effective strategy for managing COVID-19 cases caused by both the Delta and Omicron variants. The study highlighted variant-specific variations in symptoms and treatment duration, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches in telemedicine interventions for distinct strains of the virus.
Source: bmcprimcare.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12875-023-02199-y
