Teleophthalmology in the Era of COVID-19: Characteristics of Early Adopters at a Large Academic Institution

Introduction: COVID-19 led to rapid policy changes to expand telemedicine adoption. We examined rates of early telemedicine adoption among surgical departments at a large academic institution and compared provider characteristics associated with teleophthalmology. Methods: With data from departmental and electronic medical records across surgical departments at Johns Hopkins Medicine, we performed a retrospective analysis using the Fisher test and binomial logistic regression. Results: Telemedicine adoption in ophthalmology was disproportionately lower than other surgical departments. Providers who were female [odds ratio, OR, 2.42 (95% confidence interval, CI, 1.03–5.67)], clinical assistants, clinical associates, or instructors [OR 12.5 (95% CI 2.63–59.47)], associate professors [OR 4.38 (95% CI 1.42–13.52)], practiced for ≥36 years [OR 0.20 (95% CI 0.06–0.66)], cornea [OR 0.13 (95% CI 0.04–0.47)], glaucoma [OR 0.18 (95% CI 0.04–0.93)] or retina [OR 0.04 (95% CI 0.01–0.17)] specialists, or had a MD/MBBCh/MBBS [OR 0.30 (95% CI 0.10–0.94)] or second degree [OR 0.28 (95% CI 0.08–0.99)] were significantly more or less likely to adopt. When adjusted, cornea [adjusted OR 0.10 (95% CI 0.02–0.57)] or retina [adjusted OR 0.01 (95% CI 0.002–0.12)] specialists or providers who practiced for 12–18 years [adjusted OR 0.22 (95% CI 0.05–0.91)] or ≥36 years [adjusted OR 0.13 (95% CI 0.03–0.68)] were significantly more or less likely to adopt. Discussion: Subspecialty among other provider characteristics influences the likelihood of teleophthalmology adoption. As the pandemic continues, strategies to reduce adoption barriers are needed to ensure the provision of health care services.