Telemedicine for Parkinson's Disease: Limited Engagement Between Local Clinicians and Remote Specialists
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Molly J Elson1, E Anna Stevenson1, Blake A Feldman1
11 Center for Health + Technology, University of Rochester Medical Center , Rochester, New York.
Introduction:
The integration of remote specialists into local care teams has not been widely evaluated.
Methods:
Therefore, we surveyed clinicians whose patients with Parkinson's disease had participated in a national randomized controlled trial of video visits to determine (1) whether clinicians received recommendations from remote specialists; (2) whether those recommendations were implemented; (3) what barriers to specialty care local clinicians perceived; and (4) whether they would recommend video visits.
Results:
Of 183 clinicians surveyed, 89 (49%) responded. Less than half received the recommendations of remote specialists, but they implemented most of the recommendations they received and found them to be beneficial.
Conclusion:
The greatest perceived barrier among respondents was distance from patient to specialist, and 40% of local clinicians would recommend video visits. As telemedicine grows, improved communication between remote specialists and local clinicians is likely needed.