Telemedicine for patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis during COVID-19 pandemic: an Italian ALS referral center experience
Rosario Vasta, Cristina Moglia, Fabrizio D’Ovidio, Francesca Di Pede, Filippo De Mattei, Sara Cabras, Laura Peotta, Barbara Iazzolino, Silvia Giusiano, Umberto Manera, Francesca Palumbo, Alessandro Bombaci, Maria Claudia Torrieri, Antonio Ilardi, Enza Mastro, Martina Arcari, Luca Solero, Maurizio Grassano, Margherita Daviddi, Enrico Matteoni, Paolina Salamone, Giuseppe Fuda, Antonio Canosa, Adriano Chiò, Andrea Calvo
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.