Survey of Telehealth Adoption by Neuro-ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Benefits, Barriers, and Utility

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Title Survey of Telehealth Adoption by Neuro-ophthalmologists During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Benefits, Barriers, and Utility
Creator Heather E. Moss; Kevin E. Lai; Melissa W. Ko
Affiliation Departments of Ophthalmology (HEM) and Neurology & Neurological Sciences (HEM), Stanford University, Palo Alto, California; Department of Ophthalmology (KEL, MWK), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana; Ophthalmology Service (KEL), Richard L. Roudebush Veterans Administration Medical Center, Indianapolis, Indiana; and Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery (MWK), Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana
Abstract Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth modalities have come to prominence as a strategy for providing patient care when in-person care provision opportunities are limited. The degree of adoption by neuro-ophthalmologists has not been quantified. Methods: Telehealth utilization pre-COVID-19 and peri-COVID-19 was surveyed among practicing neuro-ophthalmologists in and outside the United States using an online platform. Demographics, perceived benefits, barriers, and utility for different neuro-ophthalmic conditions were collected. Data collection occurred over a 2-week period in May 2020. Results: Two hundred eight practicing neuro-ophthalmologists (81.3% United States, 50.2% females, age range <35 to >65, mode 35-44 years) participated in the survey. Utilization of all telehealth modalities increased from pre-COVID to peri-COVID (video visit 3.9%-68.3%, P < 0.0005, remote interpretation of testing 26.7%-32.2%, P = 0.09, online second opinion 7.9%-15.3%, P = 0.001, and interprofessional e-consult 4.4%-18.7%, P < 0.0005, McNemar). The majority selected access, continuity, and patient efficiency of care as benefits and data quality as a barrier. Telehealth was felt to be most helpful for conditions relying on history, external examination, and previously collected ancillary testing and not helpful for conditions requiring funduscopic examination. Conclusions: Telehealth modality usage by neuro-ophthalmologists increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. Identified benefits have relevance both during and beyond COVID-19. Further work is needed to address barriers in their current and future states to maintain these modalities as viable care delivery options.
Subject Adult; Aged; Attitude of Health Personnel; Betacoronavirus; COVID-19; Coronavirus Infections / epidemiology; Delivery of Health Care / organization & administration; Facilities and Services Utilization / organization & administration; Female; Health Care Surveys; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurologists / statistics & numerical data; Ophthalmologists / statistics & numerical data; Pandemics; Pneumonia, Viral / epidemiology; SARS-CoV-2; Telemedicine / organization & administration; United States / epidemiology
OCR Text Show
Date 2020-09
Language eng
Format application/pdf
Type Text
Publication Type Journal Article
Source Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology, September 2020, Volume 40, Issue 3
Collection Neuro-Ophthalmology Virtual Education Library: Journal of Neuro-Ophthalmology Archives: https://novel.utah.edu/jno/
Publisher Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins
Holding Institution Spencer S. Eccles Health Sciences Library, University of Utah
Rights Management © North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
ARK ark:/87278/s62g3bzs
Setname ehsl_novel_jno
ID 1592965
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s62g3bzs
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