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Review
. 2020 Jul:139:e859-e863.
doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2020.05.140. Epub 2020 May 22.

Telemedicine for Outpatient Neurosurgical Oncology Care: Lessons Learned for the Future During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lekhaj C Daggubati  1 , Daniel G Eichberg  2 , Michael E Ivan  3 , Simon Hanft  4 , Alireza Mansouri  5 , Ricardo J Komotar  3 , Randy S D'Amico  6 , Brad E Zacharia  7
Affiliations
Review

Telemedicine for Outpatient Neurosurgical Oncology Care: Lessons Learned for the Future During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Lekhaj C Daggubati et al. World Neurosurg. 2020 Jul.

Abstract

Background: The coronavirus 2019 (COVD-19) pandemic has drastically disrupted the delivery of neurosurgical care, especially for the already at-risk neuro-oncology population. The sudden change to clinic visits has rapidly spurned the implementation of telemedicine. A recommendation care paradigm of neuro-oncologic patients limited by telemedicine has not been reported.

Methods: A summary of a multi-institution experience detailing the potential benefits, pitfalls, and the necessary considerations to outpatient care of neurosurgical oncology patients.

Results: There are limitations and advantages to incorporating telemedicine into the outpatient care of neuro-oncology patients. Telemedicine-specific considerations for each step and stakeholder of the appointment (physician, patient, scheduling, previsit, imaging, and physical examination) are examined.

Conclusions: Telemedicine, pushed to prominence during this COVID-19 pandemic, is a powerful and possibly preferential tool for the future of outpatient neuro-oncologic care.

Keywords: Brain tumor; COVID-19; Coronavirus; Neuro-oncology; Telehealth; Telemedicine.

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