Abstract Details

Title Evaluating Telemedicine Care in Patients with Neuroimmunological Disorders via a Questionnaire Based Survey

Topic Multiple Sclerosis

Presentation(s) P18 - Poster Session 18 (5:30 PM-6:30 PM)

Poster/Presentation
Number 12-009

Objective The primary aim of this study is to assess the effectiveness and level of satisfaction for patients in providing telemedicine-based care to patients with MS and related neuroimmunological disorders receiving care at the outpatient clinic at Barrow Neurological Institute. We also assessed the feasibility of continuing telemedicine- based care in the future beyond the pandemic.

Background Telemedicine is defined as provision of healthcare via an audiovisual connection. Since the advent of the COVID19 pandemic, telemedicine-based video consultations have gained popularity and acceptance amongst patients and providers in delivering health care. Although telemedicine has been well studied for neurological specialties like stroke and epilepsy, it's utility in the practice of multiple sclerosis (MS) and other neuroimmunological disorders is less known especially during the time of the pandemic.

Design/Methods Ambulatory patients completing a telemedicine encounter were offered a survey questionnaire on visit/encounter related metrics to assess their satisfaction. A total of 210 patients were consented out of which 105 patients completed the survey.

Results 81.9% of patients were seen as a follow up visit and 78.8% of patients were diagnosed with multiple sclerosis. 70.4% of patients were 'satisfied' to 'very satisfied' with their visit. 93.3 %patients had access to high-speed internet for their various devices. 64.8% of patients also preferred to have a telemedicine visit for the future than an in-person visit. Less Travel time, work time off and decreased exposure to COVID 19 were found to be particularly beneficial aspects of telemedicine for patients when compared to in-person visits.

Conclusions Telemedicine based encounters are an effective and feasible way of delivering health care in the practice of MS and neuroimmunology with abundant prospects beyond the pandemic. Patients identified specific areas of benefit from telemedicine visits both related to and unrelated to the pandemic. Majority of patients reported high levels of satisfaction compared to in-person visits.

Authors/Disclosures
Huiam Mubarak, MD (Barrow Neurological Institute) PRESENTER	Dr. Mubarak has nothing to disclose.
Minhwan Kim, MD (Walter Reed)	Mr. Kim has nothing to disclose.
Aimee Borazanci, MD	No disclosure on file
Tejas Ranade, MD (10th Medical Group)	Dr. Ranade has nothing to disclose.
Ram N. Narayan, MD, FAAN (Barrow Neurological Institute)	Dr. Narayan has nothing to disclose.
Michael V. Robers, MD (Barrow Neurological Institute)	Dr. Robers has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for Genentech. Dr. Robers has received personal compensation in the range of $10,000-$49,999 for serving on a Scientific Advisory or Data Safety Monitoring board for TG therapeutics. Dr. Robers has received personal compensation in the range of $500-$4,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for Sanofi. Dr. Robers has received personal compensation in the range of $5,000-$9,999 for serving on a Speakers Bureau for TG Therapeutics. The institution of Dr. Robers has received research support from Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation.

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