ABSTRACT
Two of the major revolutions of this century are the Artificial Intelligence and Robotics. These technologies are penetrating through all disciplines and faculties at a very rapid pace. The application of these technologies in medicine, specifically in the context of Covid 19 is paramount. This article briefly reviews the commonly applied protocols in the Health Care System and provides a perspective in improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the current system. This article is not meant to provide a literature review of the current technology but rather provides a personal perspective of the author regarding what could happen in the ideal situation.
Subject(s)
Brain/physiopathology , Coma/diagnosis , Coma/physiopathology , Electroencephalography , Aged , Coma/therapy , Critical Care , Humans , Male , PrognosisABSTRACT
PURPOSE: Cost analysis and patient satisfaction with telemedicine in epilepsy care. METHODS: This controlled study included out-of-town epilepsy patients coming to follow-up at the University of Alberta hospital epilepsy clinic. After an informed consent, patients were randomized to either conventional (n = 18) or telemedicine (n = 23) clinics. Patients or caregivers filled patient satisfaction and travel cost questionnaires in both alternatives. Cost per visit analysis included costs of traveling, lodging, and lost productivity. RESULTS: Average age of the population was 41 years (range 19-73; 45% women). Eighty-three percent of patients preferred their next visit through telemedicine. About 90% of patients indicated a need for companion travel (mainly by car) to conventional clinic. For the conventional group patients the value of lost productivity was CAD $201, hotel cost CAD $8.50, and the value of car mileage CAD $256.50, totaling about CAD $466.00. Patient costs for telemedicine were CAD $35.85. Telemedicine production costs are similar to the patients' savings in traveling and lost productivity. About 90% of patients in both groups were satisfied with the quality of the service. CONCLUSION: Telemedicine can play a role in follow-up care of epilepsy patients, reduce patient costs, and improve patient satisfaction. This is the first full-time epilepsy telemedicine clinic in Western Canada.
Subject(s)
Aftercare/methods , Epilepsy/therapy , Telemedicine/methods , Adult , Aftercare/standards , Aged , Attitude to Health , Canada , Cost of Illness , Costs and Cost Analysis , Epilepsy/psychology , Feasibility Studies , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Health Care Costs , Housing/economics , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Patient Satisfaction , Pilot Projects , Surveys and Questionnaires , Telemedicine/economics , Travel/economics , Treatment Outcome , Videoconferencing/economicsABSTRACT
Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are no longer restricted to the treatment of epilepsy. These are widely used in a broad spectrum of psychiatric and neurological disorders. Liver plays a major role in the metabolism of a majority of these drugs. Hepatotoxicity is rare, but a real concern when initiating therapy. Likewise, liver disease can adversely affect the biotransformation of some of these drugs. This manuscript addresses the significance of elevated liver enzymes associated with AED use, the role of therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetics during liver disease and potential risk of hepatotoxicity.
Subject(s)
Anticonvulsants/adverse effects , Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury , Liver/drug effects , Anticonvulsants/pharmacokinetics , Biotransformation , Humans , Liver/enzymology , Liver Diseases/metabolismSubject(s)
Anti-Obesity Agents/therapeutic use , Fructose/analogs & derivatives , Aged , Blood Glucose/drug effects , Blood Glucose/metabolism , Diabetes Complications/blood , Epilepsy/complications , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Female , Fructose/therapeutic use , Humans , Neuroprotective Agents/therapeutic use , TopiramateABSTRACT
Smoking is a common problem in epilepsy patients. The inpatient video-EEG monitoring (VEEG) unit provides a unique and conducive environment for epilepsy patients to participate actively in a smoking-cessation program. The restrictions and confinement to the telemetry bed impose a forced abstinence from smoking. It has been suggested that patients who are hospitalized may be more receptive to smoking-cessation advice. We report two patients who were successfully able to quit smoking after admission for VEEG.
