Shafic Sraj, MD, an orthopedic hand, shoulder and elbow surgeon at Morgantown-based West Virginia University Medicine, has implemented an online post-operative care program through WVU's patient portal.
Dr. Sraj created an online questionnaire, in partnership with WVU's coordinator of telemedicine, Lauren Latsnic, allowing patients to provide detailed responses and photos on their healing process following routine, low-risk procedures.
Dr. Sraj is then able to assess how patients are healing without seeing them in the office or scheduling a telemedicine appointment, creating more convenience for patients.
"Patients do not have to be at the mercy of their connection anymore, which can be unreliable in some areas. Instead of getting a telemedicine appointment and waiting to see me on their device, they just respond to the automated questionnaire, attach a photo of the incision, and send it away," Dr. Sraj said in a Jan. 31 press release. "The photos allow me to check if things are progressing normally or if there is anything that needs to be addressed."