Table 1.

General recommendations

1.1 Telemedicine for this consensus is defined as the use of technology to provide access to patient care when distance separates patients and neurologists 1.2 Teleneurology is an evolving branch of telemedicine defined as neurologic consultation at a distance, or not face-to-face, using different types of technologies to achieve connectivity 1.3 Teleneurology is useful for the management of patients with MS and has benefits in saving time and cost related to transfers of patients and/or caregivers, providing greater comfort for patients, and enhancing safety in epidemiological situations such as the COVID-19 pandemic, among others 1.4 Teleneurology does not replace face-to-face consultation, but it is a complementary tool 1.5 The use of clinical video teleneurology (CVT) through Internet-based videoconferencing is recommended allowing neurologists and MS patients to communicate in real-time 1.6 In the case of MS patients without access to video calls, telephone consultation may be employed as a complementary tool 1.7 The use of emails and text messages do not replace CVT and telephone consultation 1.8 Telemedicine should adapt the video or phone call to the specific aspects of each MS patient to be attended: personal background and characteristics of the receiver such as age, cognitive, sensory, motor deficits, and patient caregivers, among others 1.9 Specific mobile applications for MS patients can be used to improve their condition of self-management and to be able to obtain a remote follow-up of the evolution of the patient 1.10 The use of telemedicine in patients with suspected MS should be applied by a trained MS neurologist to ensure an earlier and precise diagnosis 1.11 Neurologists must adhere to the same ethical standards and code of conduct, whether the telemedicine service is sourced locally or from abroad 1.12 The teleconsultation must maintain the same quality as a face-to-face consultation, and the neurologist must maintain intimacy and privacy when connected with the patient 1.13 The neurologist is responsible for safeguarding the confidentiality of the patient’s data in a medical record during the telemedicine consultation 1.14 During the telemedicine consultation, it is recommended to implement security protocols that comply with international standards for the safety and quality of patient data