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Review
. 2020 May;35(4):252-257.
doi: 10.1016/j.nrl.2020.04.006. Epub 2020 Apr 18.

Will neurological care change over the next 5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Key informant consensus survey

[Article in English, Spanish]
J Matías-Guiu  1 , J A Matias-Guiu  2 , J Alvarez-Sabin  3 , J Ramon Ara  4 , J Arenillas  5 , I Casado-Naranjo  6 , M Castellanos  7 , M D Jimenez-Hernandez  8 , J M Lainez-Andres  9 , E Moral  10 , A Morales  11 , A Rodriguez-Antigüedad  12 , T Segura  13 , P Serrano-Castro  14 , E Diez-Tejedor  15
Affiliations
Review

Will neurological care change over the next 5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic? Key informant consensus survey

[Article in English, Spanish]
J Matías-Guiu et al. Neurologia (Engl Ed). 2020 May.

Abstract
in English, Spanish

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic will give rise to long-term changes in neurological care, which are not easily predictable.

Material and methods: A key informant survey was used to enquire about the changes expected in the specialty over the next 5 years. The survey was completed by heads of neurology departments with broad knowledge of the situation, having been active during the pandemic.

Results: Despite a low level of consensus between participants, there was strong (85%) and moderate consensus (70%) about certain subjects, mainly the increase in precautions to be taken, the use of telemedicine and teleconsultations, the reduction of care provided in in-person consultations to avoid the presence of large numbers of people in waiting rooms, the development of remote training solutions, and the changes in monitoring visits during clinical trials. There was consensus that there would be no changes to the indication of complementary testing or neurological examination.

Conclusion: The key informant survey identified the foreseeable changes in neurological care after the pandemic.

Introducción: La pandemia de COVID-19 va a conllevar cambios en la asistencia neurológica, que no se pueden prever fácilmente a largo plazo.

Material y métodos: A través de un modelo de informadores clave se busca el consenso de cómo va a ser la especialidad en un plazo de 5 años, siendo los encuestados jefes de servicio de neurología con conocimiento amplio de la situación al haber actuado durante la pandemia.

Resultados: Aunque se obtiene un grado de acuerdo bajo entre los encuestados, sí se describen acuerdos por consenso a nivel mayor (85%) y menor (70%). Los principales acuerdos se refieren al incremento de precauciones, al uso de la telemedicina, al mantenimiento de las consultas telefónicas, a la reducción de asistencia a las consultas evitando que hayan salas de espera con un número alto de personas, al desarrollo de técnicas docentes no presenciales y a la adaptación en el desarrollo de ensayos clínicos en relación con la visita de los monitores. Sin embargo, no se acuerda que haya cambios en la indicación de exploraciones complementarias, ni en la propia exploración neurológica.

Conclusión: El método de informadores clave ha permitido conocer qué cambios se pueden prever tras la pandemia.

Keywords: Asistencia neurológica; COVID-19; Consenso; Consensus; Departamento de neurología; Gestión sanitaria; Healthcare management; Informadores clave; Key informants; Neurological care; Neurology department.

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References

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