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03-01-2024 | Telemedicine | REVIEW

Expert Opinion on the Utility of Telemedicine in Obesity Care: Recommendations on a Hybrid Multidisciplinary Integrated Care Follow-Up Algorithm

Authors: Fahri Bayram, Alper Sonmez, Sinem Kiyici, Feray Akbas, Meral Kucuk Yetgin, Dilek Yazici, Asim Cingi, Mehmet Sargin, Seniz Unal, Ceren Iseri, Fatih Selami Mahmutoglu, Volkan Demirhan Yumuk

Published in: Current Obesity Reports | Issue 1/2024

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

The proposed expert opinion was prepared by a panel of obesity and law specialists from Turkey to review the utility of telemedicine in obesity care and to provide a guidance document with recommendations on a hybrid multidisciplinary integrated care follow-up algorithm and the legislation governing telemedicine practice to assist obesity specialists in practicing the telemedicine.

Recent Findings

The efficacy and feasibility of telemedicine interventions in supporting obesity management programs even during pandemics confirm that obesity is a particularly well-suited field for telemedicine, emphasizing the strong likelihood of continued utilization of telemedicine in obesity management, beyond the pandemic period.

Summary

Telemedicine has great potential to address several barriers to ongoing weight-management care, such as challenges of access to specialized care, cost, and time limitations as well as patient adherence to treatment. However, telemedicine practice should complement rather than replace the in-person visits which are unique in building rapport and offering social support. Accordingly, the participating experts recommend the use of a hybrid integrated care model in the management of obesity, with the use of telemedicine, as an adjunct to in-person visits, to enable the provision of suggested intensive obesity management via frequent visits by a multidisciplinary team of obesity specialists. Further research addressing the utility of telemedicine in terms of optimal modality and duration for successful long-term obesity management outcomes is necessary to develop specific guidelines on telemedicine practice. In addition, the legislation governing the norms and protocols on confidentiality, privacy, access, and liability needs to be improved.
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Metadata
Title
Expert Opinion on the Utility of Telemedicine in Obesity Care: Recommendations on a Hybrid Multidisciplinary Integrated Care Follow-Up Algorithm
Authors
Fahri Bayram
Alper Sonmez
Sinem Kiyici
Feray Akbas
Meral Kucuk Yetgin
Dilek Yazici
Asim Cingi
Mehmet Sargin
Seniz Unal
Ceren Iseri
Fatih Selami Mahmutoglu
Volkan Demirhan Yumuk
Publication date
03-01-2024
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Obesity Reports / Issue 1/2024
Electronic ISSN: 2162-4968
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s13679-023-00541-0

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