Presentation Information
[OE8-5]Implementing telemedicine in prenatal genetic counseling (PGC) under the Covid-19 pandemic
○Koichiro Kido1, Miho Aoki2, Noriko Nakabayashi2, Chikara Kihira1, Ippei Nakagawa1, Michiharu Seto1,4, Miki Nishizawa1, Saya Watanabe1, Keita Yatsuki1, Kazuki Takasaki1, Maki Hirano1, Takayuki Ichinose1, Haruka Nishida1, Haruko Hiraike1, Yukifumi Sasamori1, Eiji Ryo1, Hidemi Okishio5, Masakazu Mimaki5, Kiyotaka Watanabe3, Kazunori Nagasaka1 (1.Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Teikyo University, School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan, 2.Teikyo University Hospital, Teikyo Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan, 3.Teikyo University Hospital, Department of Medical Oncology, Tokyo, Japan, 4.Seto Hospital, Tokorozawa, Japan, 5.Teikyo University Hospital, Department of Pediatrics, Tokyo, Japan)
Background: We have noticed the possibility of online-counseling (OC), searched the potential platforms, and reported the result previously. The Covid-19 pandemic (CP) has promoted the need for OC among the clients, forcing us to implement it. Here we report the experience of launching OC during the CP in Japan.Method: Based on the previous report, we have selected some software fulfilling the standards required by the current regulations, and tested them. Our requirements were as follows: 1. Sharing materials for explanation or inquiries between counselor and clients.2. Connect three sites, i.e., hospital, home, and office of a spouse or partner.3. Applicable for various devices.Result: 1. No platform allowed us to connect three sites. 2. There were few suitable software for first-time counseling. 3. We chose to start the OC only for the disclosure of the negative test results.Discussion: Under the conventional circumstances, OC was quite limited under special conditions, -such as on remote islands. The CP forced us to promote telemedicine. However, it revealed that few platforms practically suitable in clinical settings had been developed under strict regulations. In PGC, three site connections, and showing explanatory material while watching the response of the clients are necessary. For PGC, more specialized software is expected.Conclusion: 1. For the disclosure of the test results, the current software was sufficiently useful. 2. For first-time counseling, more sophisticated software is expected. 3. Less strict regulations are hoped for broader usage of OC.