Telemedicine is an unexplored territory for many neurologists. But things have changed with COVID-19 pandemic prompting experts in stroke, dementia, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease and other subspecialties to guide clinicians trying to pivot to a new arena of online consultations.
Owing to the interests of patients and physician safety, COVID-19 has hastened the shift to telemedicine. Some neurologic subspecialties can seek help from online transition while others face challenges.
Mitchell S.V. Elkind, MD, professor of neurology and epidemiology at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York City said that one bright spot in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic crisis is that our healthcare system is already transforming itself to utilize telehealth services more widely.
He added that stroke neurologists have relied on technology for remote consultation for many years, at times even across the country, while COVID-19 is accelerating this process. Neurologists now extend care to patients within their own hospitals with the use of telestroke -also referred to as stroke telemedicine to manage those with and without COVID-19 to stop it from spreading further. Technology has kept physicians connected to the clinical setting.
Elkind also said that even physicians testing positive for the virus can evaluate and treat patients remotely as long as they feel well enough. He added that lot of physicians need to take off from work due to coronavirus, but telemedicine is a way to bring them back to the hospitals even though remotely.
Nonetheless through telemedicine, dementia patients and their families can still continue to consult and see their specialist for scheduled appointments said Beth Kallmyer, MSW, vice president of care and support at the Alzheimer's Association.
A dementia diagnosis needs a full cognitive assessment in a physician’s office however, telemedicine has some validated cognitive screening tools, said Kallmyer.