Objective:

To assess patient satisfaction and perception of physician empathy following implementation of video telemedicine neurology follow-up visits at community clinics

Background:

There is a growing shortage of neurologists in the US who provide care outside of metropolitan areas[1]. Within the region of our academic medical center, neurologists drive approximately 2 hours round-trip each day to provide care at community clinics. Telemedicine minimizes travel time for both patients and physicians while maintaining/improving access. We aimed to develop a telemedicine service and assess patient experience.

Design/Methods:

We implemented video conferencing with tablet for patient to interact with neurologist and a pan and tilt zoom camera attached to a moveable cart to enable neurologist to perform neurological exam. Telemedicine visits were offered to patients who had previously been seen face-to-face by the neurologist performing follow-up. Implementation was at a clinic 45 miles from tertiary center(site 1) between February 2020-January 2021 and at a clinic 43 miles from tertiary center(site 2) between July 2021-January 2022.

After the telemedicine visit, a survey was completed by patient and/or caregiver, which included the consultation and relational empathy(CARE)[1] and telemedicine patient satisfaction measures(TPSM)[2].

Results:

31 patients from site 1 and 38 patients from site 2 participated in telemedicine follow-up visit and completed the survey.

Mean age was 66 years. Follow-up reasons were Parkinson disease/parkinsonism(36.2%), migraine(20.3%), dementia(17.4%), epilepsy(14.5%), and other(11.6%).

CARE measure mean responses indicated patients' perception of relational empathy was excellent(65%), and very good(25%).

TPSM mean responses were strongly agreed(71%) and agreed(28%) with regard to patient satisfaction.

The neurologists involved anecdotally reported improved work-life balance.

Conclusions:

Patient satisfaction and perceived physician empathy was high for video telemedicine neurology follow-up at our community clinics, supporting expansion of this model.  This model also improved work-life balance for the neurologist. Study of care outcomes and use for new patient consultations is needed.