Mariia Kovalova, Healthcare Technology Researcher, Itransition 12.04.23
Neurodegenerative disorders are defined by the gradual deterioration of neurons and encompass multiple types of dementia (including Alzheimer's disease), movement disorders (like Parkinson's disease), and more than 600 other progressive neurological conditions.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, nearly 50 million people are affected by neurodegenerative disorders each year in the U.S. Such people require life-long medical observation and palliative care as their condition progresses.
Studies conducted in the U.S., Brazil, and other countries with fairly wide usage of telehealth technology suggest neurology telemedicine can enhance the quality of care for such patients. The following article highlights five benefits that can be realized.
A Brazilian study has found no significant difference in the quality of dementia and Parkinson’s disease diagnostics conducted via video conferencing and during face-to-face examinations. This means primary care specialists in the local healthcare organizations can use telehealth technology to connect their patients to neurological specialists when they suspect a neurodegenerative case, creating an opportunity for patients to be diagnosed more accurately and at earlier stages.
Another important advantage of telemedicine is patients and their caregivers can quickly receive recommendations if they face something unusual in their condition, not wasting time traveling and waiting for an appointment. Before the telemedicine era, people could use phone consultations in such cases. However, the recent evidence suggests video consultations allow medical professionals to assess patients better and give more accurate advice compared to over-the-phone communication. In many cases, teleconsultations help people reduce anxiety and avoid visits to the ER or hospitals, giving them the necessary knowledge to deal with the situation at home.
For healthcare organizations, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations is crucial, especially during severe staff shortages throughout all departments, including the ER.
Multiple healthcare startups and established organizations explore how telehealth paired with AR and VR technology can effectively substitute a physiotherapy session led by a specialist. For some patients, specifically those with Parkinson’s disease, this combination looks promising, improving their adherence to the treatment and lowering their apathy toward daily exercises.
Telemedicine has boosted the availability of psychological help services, from enabling psychotherapists to hold virtual sessions with patients to offering patients AI chatbots for their psychological state self-assessment and management. However, not all therapists have the skills to work with patients suffering from neurodegenerative conditions. Therefore, psychotherapy in such cases should become part of the teleneurology services. Research shows virtual psychological therapy sessions positively influenced people living with neurodegenerative disease; they felt more in control of their condition and had a more confident outlook on their future. Such patients were also more likely to retain their self-sufficiency for longer periods of time, which lightened the caregivers’ workloads.
Additionally, caregivers must receive psychological support as well. According to the Open Caregiving website, those helping chronically ill patients have a high risk of anxiety, depression, feelings of guilt, isolation, and anger. However, looking after a person with a neurodegenerative disorder takes up a huge portion of their time, often leaving caregivers unable to attend offline therapy sessions. Online consultations, special caregiver support groups, or even a well-organized library with resources for psychological management are great self-care options for them.
Mariia Kovalova is a healthcare technology researcher at Itransition, a custom software development company headquartered in Denver, CO. Having working experience with both the healthcare and IT industries, she is constantly on the lookout for technologies that will help providers optimize their processes, enhance patient experiences, and build-up more resilience in the face of the rapidly-changing world.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, nearly 50 million people are affected by neurodegenerative disorders each year in the U.S. Such people require life-long medical observation and palliative care as their condition progresses.
Studies conducted in the U.S., Brazil, and other countries with fairly wide usage of telehealth technology suggest neurology telemedicine can enhance the quality of care for such patients. The following article highlights five benefits that can be realized.
1. Earlier Diagnostics for Patients in Underserved Areas
In many regions, patients only have access to primary care physicians or healthcare institutions that don’t have a neurological department. People in such regions are usually diagnosed later along the course of the disorder, which aggravates their condition and puts them at a disadvantage for treatment.A Brazilian study has found no significant difference in the quality of dementia and Parkinson’s disease diagnostics conducted via video conferencing and during face-to-face examinations. This means primary care specialists in the local healthcare organizations can use telehealth technology to connect their patients to neurological specialists when they suspect a neurodegenerative case, creating an opportunity for patients to be diagnosed more accurately and at earlier stages.
2. Reduced Visits to the Hospital
Many types of neurodegenerative disorders affect people past the age of fifty, which means they also belong in risk groups for complications from COVID and other contagious diseases. Trips to the doctor’s office pose a risk of contracting an infection and create opportunities for injuries for patients with neurological issues that affect motor function. Thus, receiving care at home helps patients stay healthier and safer.Another important advantage of telemedicine is patients and their caregivers can quickly receive recommendations if they face something unusual in their condition, not wasting time traveling and waiting for an appointment. Before the telemedicine era, people could use phone consultations in such cases. However, the recent evidence suggests video consultations allow medical professionals to assess patients better and give more accurate advice compared to over-the-phone communication. In many cases, teleconsultations help people reduce anxiety and avoid visits to the ER or hospitals, giving them the necessary knowledge to deal with the situation at home.
For healthcare organizations, reducing unnecessary hospitalizations is crucial, especially during severe staff shortages throughout all departments, including the ER.
3. Timely Medication Adjustments
In cases of rapidly progressing neurodegenerative diseases, patients need frequent medication adjustments to more effectively manage their condition. The use of telemedicine for assessing such patients’ conditions and changing the medication is associated with more personalized treatment and better patient outcomes. Moreover, patients who are regularly followed up by their doctor via telehealth are more likely to stick to their medication regimen, which is also beneficial for their health.4. Rehabilitation at Home
There’s not enough evidence to make a definite conclusion, but many studies suggest patients who undergo rehabilitation training at home see faster results compared to those who have to attend rehabilitation centers or other special care facilities. This can happen because traveling and unfamiliar environments add to patient stress and hinder the efficacy of their physiotherapy. However, this seems true for patients supervised by the healthcare professional during their at-home therapy.Multiple healthcare startups and established organizations explore how telehealth paired with AR and VR technology can effectively substitute a physiotherapy session led by a specialist. For some patients, specifically those with Parkinson’s disease, this combination looks promising, improving their adherence to the treatment and lowering their apathy toward daily exercises.
5. Psychological Support
Patients with neurodegenerative disorders experience psychological struggles connected to their condition. However, attending one-on-one therapy sessions and support group meetings can be challenging for them. While some caregivers provide psychological support to people in their charge, most don’t have the qualifications or time to do so.Telemedicine has boosted the availability of psychological help services, from enabling psychotherapists to hold virtual sessions with patients to offering patients AI chatbots for their psychological state self-assessment and management. However, not all therapists have the skills to work with patients suffering from neurodegenerative conditions. Therefore, psychotherapy in such cases should become part of the teleneurology services. Research shows virtual psychological therapy sessions positively influenced people living with neurodegenerative disease; they felt more in control of their condition and had a more confident outlook on their future. Such patients were also more likely to retain their self-sufficiency for longer periods of time, which lightened the caregivers’ workloads.
Additionally, caregivers must receive psychological support as well. According to the Open Caregiving website, those helping chronically ill patients have a high risk of anxiety, depression, feelings of guilt, isolation, and anger. However, looking after a person with a neurodegenerative disorder takes up a huge portion of their time, often leaving caregivers unable to attend offline therapy sessions. Online consultations, special caregiver support groups, or even a well-organized library with resources for psychological management are great self-care options for them.
Final Word
Experts are still exploring a variety of telehealth technology applications in the field of neurology. It seems telemedicine can significantly improve the quality, accessibility, and personalization of care for patients with neurodegenerative disorders. However, healthcare organizations should conduct more research on the matter to define the protocols for the best utilization of the technology in such cases.Mariia Kovalova is a healthcare technology researcher at Itransition, a custom software development company headquartered in Denver, CO. Having working experience with both the healthcare and IT industries, she is constantly on the lookout for technologies that will help providers optimize their processes, enhance patient experiences, and build-up more resilience in the face of the rapidly-changing world.