Courtney, E., Blackburn, D. and Reuber, M. orcid.org/0000-0002-4104-6705 (2021) Neurologists’ perceptions of utilising tele-neurology to practice remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Patient Education and Counseling, 104 (3). pp. 452-459. ISSN 0738-3991
Abstract
Objectives
The COVID-19 pandemic enforced an almost complete switch from face-to-face clinical work to tele-neurology. This study explores neurologists’ perceptions of telephone and videophone remote consultations.
Methods
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with neurologists and a GP with a specialist interest (n = 22). Interviews were conducted remotely via Zoom®, audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and analysed using the principles of thematic analysis.
Results
Four main themes emerged: ‘unknown unknowns (risks / uncertainties)’, ‘better service’, ‘challenges’, and ‘beyond the pandemic’. Thematic saturation was achieved by interview 19. Participants highlighted a number of benefits of remote consultations but over 80% also complained of a reduction in work satisfaction.
Conclusion
The sudden introduction of tele-neurology is unlikely to be fully reversed when pandemic-related restrictions have been lifted. However, this study confirms tele-neurology cannot completely replace face-to-face consultations. Some patient groups and consultation types require direct contact. Moreover, significant administrative and infrastructural investment will be required to develop the full potential of tele-neurology.
Practice implications
Tele-medicine is capable of improving access and efficiency of specialist neurology services, but limited by lack of non-verbal communication and technical problems. It could enhance service provision with sufficient infrastructural and administrative investment, but may reduce neurologists’ job statisfaction.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2020 Elsevier. This is an author produced version of a paper subsequently published in Patient Education and Counseling. Uploaded in accordance with the publisher's self-archiving policy. Article available under the terms of the CC-BY-NC-ND licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/). |
Keywords: | Tele-neurology; Telemedicine; COVID-19; Remote; Telephone; Videophone |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Sheffield |
Academic Units: | The University of Sheffield > Sheffield Teaching Hospitals |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Sheffield |
Date Deposited: | 15 Jan 2021 07:25 |
Last Modified: | 26 May 2022 10:15 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | Elsevier |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1016/j.pec.2020.12.027 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:170065 |