The Utility of Telemedicine in Patients with Epilepsy During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Abstract number :
2.333
Submission category :
13. Health Services (Delivery of Care, Access to Care, Health Care Models)
Year :
2021
Submission ID :
1825865
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/9/2021 12:00:00 PM
Published date :
Nov 22, 2021, 06:50 AM
Authors :
Muhammad Fraz, MD - Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA; Nitin Gandhi, DO – Clinical Neurophysiology Fellow, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA; Lonni Schultz, PhD – Department of Public Health Sciences – Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA; Omar Danoun, MD – Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA; Gregory Barkley, MD – Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA; Shailaja Gaddam, MD – Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA; Asad Yousuf, MD – Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA; Vibhangini Wasade, MD – Attending Physician, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit, MI, USA
Rationale: Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic declared in March 2020, the use of telemedicine in the U.S. was minimal. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic that affected patients with chronic conditions including epilepsy, as well as healthcare systems managing the health conditions, the federal government implemented temporary telemedicine policy changes that removed long-standing barriers and allowed telemedicine to broaden its horizons. The aim of this study was to assess the follow-up care in patients with well-controlled and intractable epilepsy and in those with or without implanted devices (VNS/RNS/DBS) by the use of telemedicine, and analyze the utility of telemedicine on healthcare delivery for the patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Methods: After obtaining the Institutional review board approval, electronic medical records (EPIC system) was used to identify patients older than 18 years with a diagnosis of epilepsy who were seen in clinic by Henry Ford Medical Group epileptologists from 01/01/2020 to 06/15/2020. Telemedicine surveys were mailed to 820 patients in August 2020. The responses to the survey questions (Table 1) were graded as very satisfied, satisfied (together graded as a favorable experience), neutral and dissatisfied. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize the responses and Fisher’s exact tests were used to assess associations of interest.
Results: A total of 97 patients (12%) responded to the mailed surveys. Of the 97 patients, 42 (44%) experienced telemedicine visit (25 video-audio visit and 17 telephone-only visit). The remainder had in-person visits. Of the patients with a telemedicine visit, 24 (57%) had intractable epilepsy, 9 (21%) had implantable devices for control of their epilepsy and 33 (79%) never had a telemedicine experience in the past. Overall, the majority of patients (79%) were very satisfied or satisfied (expressed a favorable experience) with all aspects of the telemedicine visit. Thirty-three (79%) of the patients were willing to participate in another telemedicine visit, 2 (5%) were not and 7 (17%) were not sure. (Table 1)
The associations of intractable epilepsy with a favorable experience with the overall quality of care provided, the overall telemedicine consult experience and willingness to participate in another telemedicine visit in the future were not significant. The same was true for implantable devices and first-time telemedicine experience. (Table 2)
Conclusions: This study shows that telemedicine was well-received by majority of patients who expressed a favorable experience, regardless of the control of their epilepsy. Results of our study indicate a promising potential for the utility of telemedicine in patients with epilepsy who have driving limitations for clinic visits. Further studies with larger patient populations are needed to better understand overall impact of telemedicine in epilepsy patients in the future.
Funding: Please list any funding that was received in support of this abstract.: No funding was received in support of this abstract.
Health Services (Delivery of Care, Access to Care, Health Care Models)