Survey of Telehealth Adoption by Neuro-ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Benefits, Barriers, and Utility.
J Neuroophthalmol
; 40(3): 346-355, 2020 09.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-638000
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth modalities have come to prominence as a strategy for providing patient care when in-person care provision opportunities are limited. The degree of adoption by neuro-ophthalmologists has not been quantified.METHODS:
Telehealth utilization pre-COVID-19 and peri-COVID-19 was surveyed among practicing neuro-ophthalmologists in and outside the United States using an online platform. Demographics, perceived benefits, barriers, and utility for different neuro-ophthalmic conditions were collected. Data collection occurred over a 2-week period in May 2020.RESULTS:
Two hundred eight practicing neuro-ophthalmologists (81.3% United States, 50.2% females, age range <35 to >65, mode 35-44 years) participated in the survey. Utilization of all telehealth modalities increased from pre-COVID to peri-COVID (video visit 3.9%-68.3%, P < 0.0005, remote interpretation of testing 26.7%-32.2%, P = 0.09, online second opinion 7.9%-15.3%, P = 0.001, and interprofessional e-consult 4.4%-18.7%, P < 0.0005, McNemar). The majority selected access, continuity, and patient efficiency of care as benefits and data quality as a barrier. Telehealth was felt to be most helpful for conditions relying on history, external examination, and previously collected ancillary testing and not helpful for conditions requiring funduscopic examination.CONCLUSIONS:
Telehealth modality usage by neuro-ophthalmologists increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identified benefits have relevance both during and beyond COVID-19. Further work is needed to address barriers in their current and future states to maintain these modalities as viable care delivery options.
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Pneumonia, Viral
/
Telemedicine
/
Coronavirus Infections
/
Pandemics
/
Neurologists
/
Ophthalmologists
/
Betacoronavirus
/
Facilities and Services Utilization
Type of study:
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Adult
/
Aged
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
North America
Language:
English
Journal:
J Neuroophthalmol
Journal subject:
Neurology
/
Ophthalmology
Year:
2020
Document Type:
Article
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