Virtual Consultation in Plastic Surgery - Benefits, Downsides, 3D Virtual Consultations.

Introduction

Plastic surgeons usually prefer to meet the patient in person in the clinic rather than through virtual consultation as patients can learn more about the procedures and alternate options can be discussed. In order to be well-informed and understand the options available, the patients must undergo a thorough consultation before any surgery. However, due to the pandemic, plastic surgeons have switched to virtual consultations using the software for video calling. Virtual consultations help patients who stay far away from the clinic by conversing with the surgeon comfortably from their home, and patients can contact their surgeons when they need help regardless of where they are.

What Are the Benefits of Virtual Consultation?

The benefits of virtual consultation are:

• Convenience: Patients can join virtual consultations from home, and once the consultation is done, they can resume their normal activities, and they don’t have to worry about traveling back home.

• Real-Time Engagement: A real-time response can be received by patients through virtual consultation to their cosmetic treatment concerns and questions without worrying about the location. The experience gained by the patient through virtual consultation is nearly identical to an in-patient appointment.

• Security: All information remains confidential and secure through virtual medical consultation.

• Ease Of Use: Only a desktop computer, mobile or laptop is essential for the patient to join a virtual consultation.

How to Prepare for Virtual Consultation?

The steps involved in online consultation are to provide the required documents and photographs, and questions that need to be prepared, test the audio and video connections, and arrive on time.

• Provide Required Documents and Photographs: Before the virtual consultation is held, it is necessary to complete a telemedicine consult form, and medical history needs to be shared. It is essential that the patient provides their address, date of birth, and identification copy, and photographs are required prior to treatment. The photographs should include the front of the face left and right profile. Rhinoplasty procedure for virtual consultation requires the front of the face, left and right profile, and head tilted back.

• Prepare Questions: It is essential that patients prepare questions and write down regarding the treatment as cosmetic and nose surgery procedures are complex and require planning accordingly. The doctor can answer those questions during the appointment.

• Test Audio, Video Connections: Before the meeting, the required video consult software must be downloaded and tested. This will ensure that patients can access the consultation on the device they prefer and hear throughout the treatment. It is also necessary to check the Internet connection before virtual consultation.

• Have Good Lighting: During visual consultation, it is essential to have control over the lighting and angles. There must be a good, bright light behind the computer camera facing the patient.

• Arrive On Time: Based on schedule, it is necessary to log in for virtual consultation.

What to Expect During Virtual Consultation?

Virtual and in-person meetings are similar; during the virtual consultation, the doctor learns about the patient, and an evaluation is conducted. Patient’s photographs and medical history are reviewed by the doctor, and several questions are asked by the doctor to understand why the patient is considering the cosmetic procedure. After completion of patient evaluation, the doctor makes his recommendation and a custom procedure treatment plan is provided. The doctor tailors the treatment plan to the patient and responds to the patient regarding the treatment plan if there are any concerns or questions about the plan.

What Are the Downsides to Virtual Consultation?

The downside to virtual consultations are:

• Technology: The computer, the quality of the webcam, and the internet connection should be good for virtual consultations if not, it’s going to be difficult for the surgeon to see the patient virtually and can also lead to inaccurate assessments if the quality of the image is blurred or pixelated.

• 2D Instead Of 3D: The patient is examined in three dimensions when directly meeting the doctor.

• Depersonalized Experience.

What Is 3D Virtual Consultation?

In cosmetic surgery, it is one of the latest developments where facial software is used to create a 3D image of the face or the body area. This 3D image will help the doctor to translate the vision into reality. It helps to visualize how the patient might look after the particular treatment, and modifications can be made in software with the help of tools.

What Is the Need for 3D Consultation?

This 3D consultation will help the patient to have a real-time conversation with the doctor, which the doctor could better understand. As photos are 2D, the exact needs and desires are not painted, but the 3D consultation gives a clear view of the subject area, and a person can be viewed in software from different angles.

What Are the Advantages of Having a 3D Consultation?

The advantages of 3D consultation are:

• The closest one can come through 3D consultation to replace face-to-face consultations.

• It is a type of consultation that is better abs accurate.

• The travel expenses and inconvenience are spared.

• It helps to avoid all unnecessary contact, especially after the pandemic and Covid 19.

• Other than local people, anyone worldwide can request a virtual consultation.

What Are the Limitations of 3D Virtual Consultation?

The limitations of 3D virtual consultations are technical problems, logistical challenges, the exact replica of it is not produced, how the recovery will be is not defined, doesn’t translate the tissue pliability, which is an important feature of cosmetic surgery.

What Is the Importance of Plastic Surgery Consultation?

Consultations are an essential part of the process, especially during the pandemic, the virtual method was adopted as consultations are crucial due the following reasons: it enables to qualify patients for a safe and healthy procedure, patients can be better educated regarding aftercare and recovery, helps the patient to understand better what to expect from the procedure and patients can address any of their queries.

Conclusion

Virtual consultation helps to save time for both the patient and physician and can be conducted anywhere with a good internet connection. Through virtual consultation, all information remains safe and confidential.