Patient Views on Telemedicine for Parkinson Disease

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Spear, Kelsey L.^a | Auinger, Peggy^b | Simone, Richard^c | Dorsey, E. Ray^b | Francis, Jessica^{b; *}

Affiliations: [a] Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, North Chicago, IL, USA | [b] Center for Health + Technology, University of Rochester Medical Center, Rochester, NY, USA | [c] Simone Consulting Services, Silicon Valley, CA, USA

Correspondence: [*] Correspondence to: Jessica Francis, PhD, University of Rochester Medical Center, 265 Crittenden Blvd, CU 420694, Rochester, NY 14642, USA. Tel.: +1 585 276 3280; Fax: +1 585 461 3554; [email protected].

Abstract: Background:Telemedicine is increasingly used for Parkinson disease, but the perspectives of persons with Parkinson disease have not been systematically assessed. Methods:We therefore conducted a national online survey, and 781 individuals with Parkinson disease responded. Results:Of these, 76% indicated high interest, and 29% reported prior telemedicine experience. The top advantages included access to specialists (62%), convenience (60%), and time savings (59%). The most common disadvantages were the lack of hands-on care (69%), lack of intimacy (43%), and technical difficulties (37%). Conclusions:In this non-representative sample, interest in telemedicine was high but tempered by the concern for loss of high touch care.

Keywords: Movement disorders, Parkinson disease, telehealth, telemedicine

DOI: 10.3233/JPD-181557

Journal: Journal of Parkinson's Disease, vol. 9, no. 2, pp. 401-404, 2019