. A Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Videoconference and Outpatient Stoma Care

Detailed Summary

Background: Videoconference (VC) is a common clinical tool and has huge potential to alter medical practice and to offer patients the best expertise in treatment and follow-up in spite of long distances, especially in rural areas. Studies upon selected patient groups have shown that VC is safe and cost-effective. However, RCT of VC patients with stoma problems have never been performed. Patients with stoma problems are resource demanding patients. The University Hospital North Norway (UNN) has several hundred consultations for this patient group each year, serving the population in North Norway. Methods: In this randomised controlled trial (RCT), patients are either randomised to a VC consultation or a regular consultation at the outpatient clinic. All patients with a stoma that needs special attention are eligible for inclusion. Patients randomised to the VC group, are set-up to a meeting at the nearest VC studio located to their home community. There will be educated VC- stoma nurses that will participate in the clinical examination at the hospital outpatient clinic and at the rural VC studio. Endpoints: Primary endpoints are patient satisfaction and quality of life. Secondary endpoints are number of consultations and cost effectiveness. Sample size calculations showed that 170 patients had to be included in the trial. The investigators hypothesize that postoperative follow-up of stoma patients by VC will not have any impact on patients' quality of life compared to Hospital outpatient follow-up. Furthermore, the investigators hypothesize that the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio will improve.

Study Details

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Interventions