Consultation Requests and Satisfaction with a Telehealth Network for Epilepsy: Longitudinal Analysis of the Epilepsy Network Hessen Evaluation.
Telemed J E Health
; 30(7): e2013-e2023, 2024 Jun.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38683593
ABSTRACT
Background:
Telemedicine improves access to specialized medical expertise, as required for paroxysmal disorders. The Epilepsy Network Hessen Evaluation (ENHE) is a pilot cross-sectoral teleconsultation network connecting primary neurologists and pediatricians with epilepsy centers in Hessen, a federal German state.Methods:
We prospectively and longitudinally evaluated telehealthcare in the ENHE. Participating physicians rated each consultation for satisfaction and impact on further management. The survey was administered at each consultation and 3 months later.Results:
We analyzed 129 consultations involving 114 adult and pediatric patients. Their mean age was 34 years (standard deviation 26, range 0.1-91 years), 48% were female, and 34% were children and adolescents. The most common consultation requests were co-evaluation of an electroencephalogram (electroencephalogram [EEG]; 76%) and therapeutic (33%) and differential diagnosis (24%) concerns. Physicians transmitted one paraclinical examination on average (range 1-4), predominantly EEG (85%), followed by magnetic resonance imaging (17%) and written records (9%). Response rates were 72% for the initial and 67% for the follow-up survey. Across respondents, 99% (n = 92) were satisfied with the ENHE. Overall, 80% of the consultations contributed to the diagnosis, and 90% were considered helpful for treatment, influencing it in 71% of cases. Seizure frequency had decreased more often (96%) than increased (4%) at 3 months. The initial diagnosis was confirmed in 78% of patients.Discussion:
In this pilot teleconsultation network for paroxysmal disorders, diagnostic and therapeutic advice was perceived as helpful. Clinical outcomes were largely positive, suggesting tele-epileptology is viable for paroxysmal (seizure) disorders.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Consulta Remota
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Epilepsia
Limite:
Adolescent
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Adult
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Aged
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Aged80
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Child
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Child, preschool
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Female
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Humans
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Infant
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Male
País/Região como assunto:
Europa
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Telemed J E Health
Assunto da revista:
INFORMATICA MEDICA
/
SERVICOS DE SAUDE
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Alemanha