1. Telemedicine for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian ALS referral center experience
- Author
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Adriano Chiò, Martina Arcari, Maria Claudia Torrieri, Rosario Vasta, Laura Peotta, Umberto Manera, Paolina Salamone, Margherita Daviddi, Francesca Palumbo, Fabrizio D'Ovidio, Antonio Canosa, Sara Cabras, Alessandro Bombaci, Giuseppe Fuda, Luca Solero, Barbara Iazzolino, Francesca Di Pede, Enza Mastro, Filippo De Mattei, Enrico Matteoni, Antonio Ilardi, Andrea Calvo, Silvia Giusiano, Maurizio Grassano, and Cristina Moglia
- Subjects
Male ,Telemedicine ,motor neuron diseases ,Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) ,Clinical Neurology ,Speech Therapy ,Tertiary Care Centers ,03 medical and health sciences ,0302 clinical medicine ,Ambulatory care ,Pandemic ,medicine ,Humans ,Psychology ,remote consultation ,Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis ,COVID-19 ,telemedicine ,Aged ,Patient Care Team ,Remote Consultation ,SARS-CoV-2 ,business.industry ,Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ,Disease Management ,Patient Preference ,Middle Aged ,medicine.disease ,Phone call ,Italy ,Neurology ,Patient Satisfaction ,Referral center ,Female ,Neurology (clinical) ,Medical emergency ,business ,030217 neurology & neurosurgery - Abstract
We describe the telemedicine experience of an Italian ALS tertiary Center during COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 144 visits were scheduled between 6th March and 6th April 2020. These mostly consisted of neurological or psychological visits (139, 96.5%). One hundred thirty-nine (96.5%) visits were performed as telemedicine and mostly via phone call (112, 80.6%). Three (2.1%) visits were considered as urgent and maintained as outpatient care. Additionally, patients were still able to telephone, being put through directly to their neurologists. Many requests of contact were addressed at getting information about the scheduled visits or examinations (45, 43.3%). Globally, patients and caregivers were satisfied with the telemedicine service. However, the majority (85, 65.9%) would prefer a face-to-face visit. In conclusion, telemedicine could be considered a good complement to face-to-face care, even after social restrictions have been eased.
- Published
- 2020