A Department Approach to Teleneurology

Abstract

The coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic has compelled health care practices and academic departments to evaluate the suitability of telemedicine for various specialties and attempt rapid implementation to enable continuation of health care that is safe for providers and patients. Many patients with neurological disorders are well suited to evaluations through video. The department of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania (Penn Neurology), with the support of the health system, rapidly expanded telemedicine services to meet the needs of our patient population. This accomplishment required the complex coordination of multiple disciplines and roles within the department and the health care system, including faculty, residents, administrative staff, research and technical staff, information services, and the connected health team. Procedures for provider and patient education were established. Surveys of the provider and patient experience were developed and deployed. The process has demonstrated the vital role telemedicine in neurology (teleneurology) should play in the care of neurological patients beyond the pandemic. We describe our experience as a template for other departments and practices seeking to establish teleneurology programs, as well as an illustration of the challenges and barriers to its implementation.

Keywords: COVID-19; neurology; telehealth; telemedicine; teleneurology.