Safety and Effectiveness of Telemedicine for Neurology Outpatients

Abstract

Neurology consultation using VL is safe and effective as well as acceptable, and the necessary skills were acquired rapidly by a telemedicine-naive neurologist. Telemedicine using VL can contribute to waiting list reduction, and is likely to be most useful in rural areas.

Teleneurology: is it really at a distance?

“…For consultant neurologists using videoconferencing in an outpatient setting, comparable satisfaction levels to a face-to-face assessment were found [67]. In addition, 73% of patients in this study found the system easy to use; this could be further facilitated by involving a nurse or another health care professional at the patient's end.…”

“…Applications with doctor-to-patient interaction These can be home or hospital based. Robotic telepresence in the setting of neurointensive [66] care is an example of the former and outpatient follow up [15,41,67] of patients with Parkinson disease and epilepsy exemplify the latter. Often a nurse or allied health professional may assist at the patient's end to facilitate interaction.…”

Connecting to the future – the promise of telecare

“…9 Where telecare has been adopted, there is evidence that it can improve the efficiency or effectiveness of existing Parkinson's disease, neurorehabilitation, epilepsy and general neurology services. [10][11][12][13] Worldwide, telecare has demonstrated benefits in the management of stroke when a video link to a neurologist is the only feasible way a person with acute stroke in a rural area can receive timely intervention. [14][15][16] In the MS arena, the Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) Centre of Excellence leads the use of telecare.…”

Teleneurology: an overview of current status

“…Teleneurology may obviate such difficulties. Neurological consultation by real-time interactive videolink is useful for both outpatient3 4 and inpatient5 settings. The consultations are conducted similarly to face-to-face consultations, with an on-site health worker (junior doctor, professional allied to medicine) performing an examination, witnessed and directed over the videolink.…”