The COVID-19 pandemic brought many changes to healthcare. One significant shift was the way doctors kept track of patient visits. This was especially true for people dealing with epilepsy. During the pandemic, many routine visits were disrupted. This made it hard for doctors to keep up with their patients' needs. To tackle this issue, a clever plan was put into action. The goal was to use digital medical records to spot trends and understand the impact of the pandemic on healthcare services.

The first step was to create a system to identify epilepsy patients. This was done by developing an algorithm. An algorithm is like a set of rules that a computer follows to solve a problem. In this case, the problem was finding epilepsy patients in the digital records. Once the algorithm was ready, it was tested to make sure it worked well. This process is known as validation. The algorithm had to be accurate in picking out the right patients.

After the algorithm was validated, it was used to look at outpatient visits. Outpatient visits are appointments where patients go to the hospital or clinic but do not stay overnight. The focus was on how the pandemic affected these visits. The digital records provided a wealth of information. They showed how the pandemic changed the way healthcare was delivered. For example, many patients had to switch to virtual appointments instead of in-person visits.

The pandemic also highlighted the importance of digital records. They allowed doctors to keep track of patient visits even when things were chaotic. This was crucial for managing chronic conditions like epilepsy. Epilepsy requires regular monitoring and care. The digital records helped ensure that patients did not fall through the cracks. They provided a way to keep an eye on patient health even during a crisis.

The use of digital records also raised some questions. For instance, how secure is the patient data? And how can we make sure the algorithm is fair and does not discriminate against certain groups? These are important considerations. As we move forward, it is essential to address these issues. The goal is to use technology to improve healthcare while protecting patient rights.

OUTPATIENT SERVICE UTILIZATION

How the Pandemic Changed Doctor Visits for Epilepsy Patients

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