Implementation and Evaluation of a Neurology Telemedicine Initiative at a Major Academic Medical Center.
Telemed J E Health
; 28(2): 158-166, 2022 02.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1207235
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
The COVID-19 pandemic forced rapid adoption of telemedicine for care of neurology patients. This study contributes to this literature by describing the structure and implementation of telemedicine-based outpatient neurology clinics at the UCLA Medical Center and estimates patient cost savings, before and after the California COVID-19 "Safer at Home" directive, and patient satisfaction.Methods:
This was a retrospective, nonrandomized, case series study of telemedicine-based neurological management in an urban academic medical center from October 2018 to June 2020. We estimated roundtrip travel time, roundtrip travel distance, total savings, and surveyed patient and provider satisfaction with telemedicine care. We supported these findings through evaluation of 7,194 patients by telemedicine and conducted 9,189 video visits for neurological care.Results:
The median telemedicine patient avoided a roundtrip driving distance of 33 miles and roundtrip travel time of 75 min. Within sample, median hourly earnings were $27/h. The median patient saved $18 on fuel and parking and $36 of time-based opportunity savings, for total savings of $54 per video visit. Eighty-six percent of patients surveyed were satisfied with their video visit experience.Conclusions:
Telemedicine reduced travel time and also reduced costs for neurology patients. Patients and providers both reported high levels of satisfaction with telemedicine.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Telemedicine
/
COVID-19
/
Neurology
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal:
Telemed J E Health
Journal subject:
Medical Informatics
/
Health Services
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Tmj.2020.0502
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