Virtual visits for Parkinson disease: A multicenter noncontrolled cohort
Ryan E Korn1, Aparna Wagle Shukla1, Maya Katz1
1University of Rochester School of Medicine and Dentistry (REK, HTK); Center for Human Experimental Therapeutics (REK, HTK, SG, PA, WZ, MAA, ERD, KMB) and Department of Neurology (PA, RB, IR, KLA, HBS, ERD, KMB, SK), University of Rochester, NY; Center for Movement Disorders and Neurorestoration (AWS, KR), Department of Neurology, University of Florida, Gainesville; Department of Neurology (MK, MD, EB, CMT, NBG), University of California-San Francisco; Parkinson's Disease Research, Education and Clinical Center (MK, MD, EB, CMT, NBG), San Francisco Veterans Affairs Medical Center, CA; University of Michigan Medical School (WZ), Ann Arbor; Department of Neurology (KLA), University at Buffalo, NY; Neurology Private Practice (GK), Berkeley, CA; and Department of Internal Medicine (RR), University of Central Florida College of Medicine, Orlando, FL.
Remote specialty care for Parkinson Disease (PD) is feasible, with high patient and physician satisfaction. However, a single virtual visit did not improve quality of life for individuals with PD.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Telemedicine
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Previous small-scale studies indicated the feasibility of remote specialty care through virtual visits.
- This study aimed to assess the feasibility and benefits of remote Parkinson Disease (PD) specialty consultations on a larger scale.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the feasibility of providing remote specialty care to individuals with Parkinson Disease (PD) in their homes.
- To determine the benefits, including quality of life changes and satisfaction, of a one-time virtual consultation with a PD specialist.
Main Methods:
- A multicenter, noncontrolled cohort study involving virtual visits via videoconferencing between remote PD specialists and individuals with PD.
- Specialists conducted patient history, PD-specific physical examinations, and provided recommendations.
- Primary outcomes included visit completion rates and 6-month changes in quality of life (Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire 39).
Main Results:
- 277 participants enrolled, with 258 completing virtual visits; 91% of scheduled visits were completed.
- No significant improvement in quality of life was observed at 6 months (p = 0.39).
- High satisfaction reported by both physicians (94%) and patients (94%), with 74% interested in future virtual care.
Conclusions:
- Remote specialty care delivery to PD patients' homes is feasible.
- A single virtual consultation did not enhance quality of life but was highly satisfactory.
- Patients and physicians expressed interest in future remote care options.
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