Telemedicine for Neurotrauma in Albania: Initial Results from Case Series of 146 Patients

Latifi, Rifat; Olldashi, Fatos; Dogjani, Agron; Dasho, Erion; Boci, Arian; El‐Menyar, Ayman

doi:10.1016/j.wneu.2018.01.146

Cited by 27 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…Nevertheless, we tried to implement an early experience of telemedicine visits by the establishment of virtual outpatient clinics for the evaluation of neurosurgical patients after surgery. Literature about telemedicine in the field of neurosurgery are very scarce and limited to triaging of patients of neurotrauma [ 8 ], postoperative care of patients after elective surgeries [ 9 ], and evaluation of socioeconomic benefits for patients in remote areas [ 10 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Doctor-patient distancing: an early experience of telemedicine for postoperative neurosurgical care in the time of COVID-19

Ashry

Alsawy

2020

Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurg

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Background Telemedicine remains an important tool of healthcare services delivery especially in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. Its advantages include saving the time and money of the patients and the prevention of infection among healthcare providers. Objectives In this study, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of telemedicine visits in providing postoperative care of neurosurgical patients. Materials and methods We conducted this prospective study on 30 neurosurgical patients who were evaluated after surgery via telemedicine visits for 30 days. During the virtual visits, we discussed the clinical progress of patients, wound status, treatment modification, the time of return to work, postoperative complications, and the radiological data of the patients. All the patients were given an emergency number to call in case of urgent issues. The satisfaction of patients and doctors was measured with the aid of two questionnaires. Results The patients’ age ranged from 18 to 65 years. Twenty patients were male and 10 patients were female. We performed 20 cranial operations and 10 spinal operations. Most patients needed more than 4 h to reach the hospital. The total number of telemedicine visits was 67 visits. We received about 62 emergency calls. Pain management, seizures control, wound infection, and hydrocephalus is among issues that were evaluated and managed via telemedicine visits. The overall satisfaction rate among patients and doctors was 90% and 95%, respectively. Conclusion Virtual outpatient clinics seem to be a safe and effective way of postoperative care especially in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Doctor-patient distancing: an early experience of telemedicine for postoperative neurosurgical care in the time of COVID-19

Ashry

Alsawy

2020

Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurg

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“…Establishing functional and sustainable country-wide telemedicine systems, such as those created by the International Virtual e-Hospital, has increased access to care and *70% of patients managed through telemedicine do not require to transfer to tertiary centers. 50,51 The usefulness of telemedicine for disaster recovery has been used as early as 1988. [52][53][54] This telemedicine system once in place and operational was easily adapted for use in a disaster.…”

Section: Telemedicine For Disaster Managementmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perspective on COVID-19: Finally, Telemedicine at Center Stage

Latifi

Doarn

2020

Telemedicine and e-Health

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117

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The new world order caused by COVID-19 virus, associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome, multiple organ failure, and very high mortality, has brought about many changes to our world. Suddenly, the medical community, and those who finance the health care sector, realized that telemedicine and telepresence are applicable, desirable, acceptable, and much sought after by our patients and we can manage just about every disease and condition. Although, by and large, telemedicine has faced challenges and perhaps some resistance, despite its great potential, it has become evident that telemedicine can provide rapid, safe, and high-quality care remotely during this pandemic, the largest one since 1918. Perhaps one benefit of suffering through the COVID-19 pandemic will be the establishment of a new virtual medical world order, and that telemedicine has taken its deserving place in health care: prime time and a center stage.

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“…15 Tele-neurotrauma (management of neurotrauma at remote locations in consultation with experts) is being actively studied with promising results in developed countries. 17 Besides documented benefits of decreasing unnecessary transfers and increased access to specialist opinion, it is a potential tool for taking neurotrauma services to remote areas by trained trauma and general surgeons with tele-neurosurgery consultations as and when required. Need of "virtual neurosciences care" is also realized in India and has been proposed as a means to offset the heterogeneous distribution of neurospecialist in country.…”

Section: Neurotrauma Management By Trauma Surgeonmentioning

confidence: 99%

Management of Patients with Neurotrauma by Trauma Surgeons: Need of the Hour

Rattan

Kumar

Gupta

et al. 2019

IJNT

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Trauma-related deaths in excess of 1 million occur annually in India, more than half of which are attributable to head injury. There are just 1,400 certified neurosurgeons in India, and only 300 new trainees are inducted every year. More than 80% of India’s specialist doctors live in urban India. There is evidence that patients travel hundreds of kilometers to seek a neurosurgeon; needless to say, golden hour of trauma is surely lost in this time. Scarcity of neurosurgeons is a problem in the developed world too. Government of India is building a national network of trauma centers for better trauma care. However, neurosurgeon availability at these centers remains a cause of concern. In dire need of neurotrauma management and scarcity of neurosurgeons, management of neurotrauma by trauma and general surgeons is the best available option. Such management policies have already been tested successfully in both developed (Germany, Sweden) and developing world (Nepal). There is evidence on patient safety and good outcome in neurotrauma management by trauma surgeons. Refresher training of 1 week every 2 years has been recommended to prevent skill attrition after 2-week neurotrauma training led by a neurosurgeon. Uninterrupted run of 3-year trauma surgery residency program at JPN Apex Trauma Center, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi, India, incorporating in-house neurotrauma training is a testimony to need and utility of this approach. A “readily available neurosurgeon when needed” is a scarce resource in most parts of world. Therefore, trauma surgeon is best suited to deliver timely care in neurotrauma and tackle this “hidden epidemic.”

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Telemedicine for Neurotrauma in Albania: Initial Results from Case Series of 146 Patients

Cited by 27 publications

References 21 publications

Doctor-patient distancing: an early experience of telemedicine for postoperative neurosurgical care in the time of COVID-19

Doctor-patient distancing: an early experience of telemedicine for postoperative neurosurgical care in the time of COVID-19

Perspective on COVID-19: Finally, Telemedicine at Center Stage

Management of Patients with Neurotrauma by Trauma Surgeons: Need of the Hour

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