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

TY - JOUR

T1 - Telemedicine for Outpatient Neurosurgical Oncology Care

T2 - Lessons Learned for the Future During the COVID-19 Pandemic

AU - Daggubati, Lekhaj C.

AU - Eichberg, Daniel G.

AU - Ivan, Michael E.

AU - Hanft, Simon

AU - Mansouri, Alireza

AU - Komotar, Ricardo J.

AU - D'Amico, Randy S.

AU - Zacharia, Brad E.

N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2020 Elsevier Inc.

PY - 2020/7

Y1 - 2020/7

N2 - 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.

AB - 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.

KW - Brain tumor

KW - COVID-19

KW - Coronavirus

KW - Neuro-oncology

KW - Telehealth

KW - Telemedicine

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85085763943&partnerID=8YFLogxK

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85085763943&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.05.140

DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wneu.2020.05.140

M3 - Article

C2 - 32450309

SN - 1878-8750

VL - 139

SP - e859-e863

JO - World Neurosurgery

JF - World Neurosurgery

ER -