Changes in outpatient care patterns and subsequent outcomes during the COVID-19 pandemic: A retrospective cohort analysis from a single payer healthcare system

BackgroundThere have been rapid shifts in outpatient care models during the COVID-19 pandemic but the impact of these changes on patient outcomes are uncertain. We designed this study to examine ambulatory outpatient visit patterns and outcomes between March 1, 2019 to February 29, 2020 (pre-pandemic) and from March 1, 2020 to February 28, 2021 (pandemic). MethodsWe conducted a population-based retrospective cohort study of all 3.8 million adults in the Canadian province of Alberta, which has a single payer healthcare system, using linked administrative data. We examined all outpatient physician encounters (virtual or in-person) and outcomes (emergency department visits, hospitalizations, or deaths) in the next 30- and 90-days. ResultsAlthough in-person outpatient visits declined by 38.9% in the year after March 1, 2020 (10,142,184 vs. 16,592,599), the increase in virtual visits (7,152,147; 41.4% of total) meant that total outpatient encounters increased by 4.1% in the first year of the pandemic. Outpatient care and prescribing patterns remained stable for adults with ambulatory-care sensitive conditions (ACSC): 97.2% saw a primary care physician (median 6 visits), 59.0% had at least one specialist visit, and 98.5% were prescribed medications (median 9) in the year prior to the pandemic compared to 96.6% (median 3 in-person and 2 virtual visits), 62.6%, and 98.6% (median 8 medications) during the first year of the pandemic. In the first year of the pandemic, virtual outpatient visits were associated with less subsequent healthcare encounters than in-person ambulatory visits, particularly for patients with ACSC (9.2% vs. 10.4%, aOR 0.89 [95% confidence interval 0.87-0.92] at 30 days and 26.9% vs. 29.3%, aOR 0.93 [0.92-0.95] at 90 days). ConclusionsThe shifts in outpatient care patterns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic did not disrupt prescribing or follow-up for patients with ACSC and did not worsen post-visit outcomes. FundingNone RegistrationNone KEY MESSAGESO_ST_ABSWhat is already known on this topicC_ST_ABSThere have been rapid shifts in outpatient care models during the COVID-19 pandemic but outcomes are uncertain. What this study addsTotal outpatient encounters increased by 4% in the first year of the pandemic due to a rapid increase in virtual visits (which made up 41% of all outpatient encounters). Prescribing patterns and frequency of follow-up were similar in the first year after onset of the pandemic in adults with ambulatory-care sensitive conditions. Compared to in-person visits, virtual outpatient visits were associated with less subsequent healthcare encounters, particularly for patients with ambulatory-care sensitive conditions (11% less at 30 days and 7% less at 90 days). How this study might affect research, practice or policyOur data provides reassurance that the shifts in outpatient care patterns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic did not negatively impact follow-up, prescribing, or outcomes for patients with ACSC. Further research is needed to define which patients and which conditions are most suitable for virtual outpatient visits and, as with all outpatient care, the optimal frequency of such visits.