Vanderbilt University Medical Center Ambulatory Teleneurology COVID-19 Experience

Background: Telehealth has proliferated since the 1950s, but adoption and coverage of telehealth services for the U.S. public have been slow. In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the federal government has implemented temporary policy changes that removed barriers and catalyzed the unprecedented adoption of telehealth. Methods: To assess ambulatory teleneurology satisfaction, we analyzed postvisit questionnaire data from patients and clinicians who completed teleneurology visits during the COVID-19 pandemic at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Neurology (VUMC). Results: From March 18 to May 8, 2020, VUMC completed 3,935 teleneurology visits. More than 97% of patients were very highly or highly confident in the telehealth care they received, whereas almost 99% of clinicians were very likely or somewhat likely to recommend telehealth to other clinicians. Conclusions: Teleneurology satisfaction at VUMC has been positive, and going forward, we must advance upon this unprecedented adoption of telehealth and never revert to former restrictive policies.

Automated summary

During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Department of Neurology completed 3,935 teleneurology visits, with over 97% of patients highly confident in the care received, and nearly 99% of clinicians likely to recommend telehealth to other clinicians.