COVID-19 and NM Disorders-Dr. Doughty - COVID-19 and Neuromuscular Disorder

Dr. Doughty - COVID-19 and Neuromuscular Disorder

Pdf Summary

In this document, Dr. Christopher Doughty discusses the rapid uptake of teleneurology during the Covid-19 pandemic and its impact on neuromuscular care. He highlights several studies that show high patient satisfaction with teleneurology, with the majority of patients finding it convenient and effective. Teleneurology saves patients time and money and reduces the risk of exposure to infectious diseases. It also allows for increased caregiver participation and can be especially beneficial for patients with chronic diseases that cause fatigue.<br /><br />Dr. Doughty discusses the advantages of telemedicine for patients, including the ability to access high-quality specialty care from the comfort of their own homes. He cites studies showing the cost savings of video visits compared to in-person visits, as well as the positive impact of telemedicine on patient outcomes.<br /><br />The document also addresses the question of whether teleneurology works for neuromuscular disorders. While some patients have reported that teleneurology is not as good as in-person care, the majority of studies show that teleneurology is just as effective, if not better, than face-to-face consultations. However, there are some limitations, particularly for certain subspecialties like neuromuscular care.<br /><br />Dr. Doughty suggests that teleneurology is here to stay and discusses the need to incorporate it into neuromuscular care. He presents a proposed utility/appropriateness framework for telemedicine visits and highlights the importance of standardizing monitoring tools for both face-to-face and virtual care.<br /><br />The document also addresses the disparities in access to telemedicine, particularly for individuals with limited access to high-speed internet and older adults who may have difficulty adapting to new technologies. Dr. Doughty emphasizes the need to mitigate these disparities and improve access to telemedicine for all patients.<br /><br />Lastly, Dr. Doughty discusses the impact of the pandemic on trainees and the need for transformation in neuromuscular training to incorporate telemedicine. He suggests various strategies for teaching teleneurology and evaluating trainees on their telemedicine skills.<br /><br />Overall, the document emphasizes the potential benefits of teleneurology in neuromuscular care and highlights the need for ongoing research and training in this area.

Keywords

teleneurology

Covid-19 pandemic

neuromuscular care

patient satisfaction

convenience

cost savings

telemedicine

patient outcomes

limitations

access to telemedicine