Background and aims
Covid-19 pandemic has boosted telemedicine in medical clinical practice. Experiences in the management of chronic neurological disorders are limited as well as patient opinion. During Covid-19 pandemic we evaluated patients' satisfaction and opinion about televisits in a large group of patients with chronic neurological disorders.
Methods
All patients with chronic neurological disorders who had a virtual visit during the first phase of pandemic were invited to fill an online anonymous questionnaire about their global satisfaction and regarding the following issues: continuity of care, possibility to stay at home, doctor-patient relationship, the future of teleconsultation after pandemic and understanding of medical informations.
Results
We received 123 questionnaires among 232 e-mail (response rate 53%). Almost all (120 out of 121 patients, 99%) were satisfied with the overall experience with video-consultation. Comprehension of medical information was the same for 113 out of 122 patients (93%) and also the doctor-patient relationship was the same for 107 out of 122 respondents (88%) or better for 10 (8%). Ninety-three percent of patients (112 out of 120) were keen to integrate televisits with the traditional modality and only 11 out of 121 patients (9%) judged televisits as an option to discard. As a whole 114 out of 122 respondents (93%) would suggest this modality to other patients.
Conclusions
Our large cohort of patients with chronic neurologic disorders rated experience with televisits satisfactory. Comprehension of medical information and doctor-patient interaction was considered good. Eventually patients are keen to integrate this modality with traditional follow-up visits.