Telemedicine for Anesthesiologists

Telemedicine represents an area of rapid growth in anesthesiology. Remote preoperative evaluation is associated with high patient and physician satisfaction scores, reduced patient travel and wait times, and similar procedure cancellation rates compared with in-person clinic evaluation. Preoperative tele-evaluation has facilitated a return to normal function during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Intraoperatively, remote vital sign monitoring and telecommunications technology combined with a care team model allows provision of expert care in areas experiencing a shortage of anesthesiologists. Virtual intensive care units provide overflow capability for postoperative patients, whereas patient smartphones can reduce the need for in-person evaluation.