A study conducted by researchers at Michigan Medicine has found that telemedicine appointments for patients with hyperlipidemia (excess cholesterol or fats in the blood) led to similar positive health outcomes as in-person visits.
The study, published in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology, highlights the effectiveness of virtual care in managing hyperlipidemia.
Key Findings
Over 250 patients seen by a registered dietitian at the U-M Health Frankel Cardiovascular Center’s Preventative Cardiology Clinic between early 2019 and late 2022 were included in the study.
Patients receiving medical nutrition therapy, whether through virtual or in-person visits, experienced significant decreases in LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, both of which increased the risk of cardiovascular disease.
The study found no significant difference in outcomes between virtual and in-person appointments.
Telehealth offers the advantage of allowing dietitians to work with patients in their own kitchens, creating personalized nutrition plans based on available foods.
Despite challenges related to remote healthcare, a national survey published in 2023 suggests that telehealth visits may improve access for minorities and patients with lower socioeconomic statuses.
Virtual care can help overcome barriers to traditional care, such as transportation limitations or distance from in-person care centers.
The study emphasizes the potential of telehealth in providing effective nutrition therapy for patients with hyperlipidemia, contributing to improved cholesterol levels and reduced cardiovascular risk. Further research may help identify scenarios where virtual or in-person visits are more beneficial.
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The research findings can be found in the Journal of Clinical Lipidology.
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