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Author Credentials

Ahmed Elkhapery, MD

Syed Faiz Abbas, MD

Basil Verghese, MD

Author ORCID Identifier

0000-0003-0705-1137

Last Page

7

Abstract

In the last few decades, the growing use of telemedicine has allowed access to healthcare at reduced costs and increased monitoring of chronic conditions, especially in underserved and rural areas. It is a tool of great value in low-income countries where there is a paucity of specialists. In the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine was used to screen patients with COVID-19 like symptoms and send them to test sites directly. This helped minimize unnecessary healthcare staff and patient exposure to the infection and helped decompress ERs. Due to a lack of testing resources, many mildly symptomatic patients were presumed to have COVID-19 infection and advised to self-isolate at home. We present a case of delayed diagnosis of acute leukemia resulting in a life-threatening presentation with leukostasis. This case highlights the need for a physical exam, lab investigations, and close follow-up for new patient complaints seen over telemedicine. It also highlights the lack of evidence for the efficacy and safety of telemedicine in patients with new complaints.

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