Epilepsy care and COVID‐19: A cross‐sectional online survey from Lithuania. (16th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Puteikis, Kristijonas; Mameniškienė, Rūta
• Is Part Of: Acta neurologica Scandinavica. Volume 143:Number 6(2021)
• Page Start: 666
• Page End: 672
• Publication Date: 2021-03-16
• Subjects: COVID‐19 -- electroencephalography -- epilepsy -- lockdown -- telehealth -- vaccine; Neurology -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1111/ane.13409
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0001-6314

Abstract

Abstract : Background: Changes in epilepsy care during the COVID‐19 pandemic required to reassess the patient‐specialist interaction in the context of telehealth and future vaccination campaigns. Aims of the study: The aims were to outline changes in neurologists' experience when providing care for patients with epilepsy (PWE) and to investigate how neurologists perceive telehealth and vaccination. Methods: We conducted an anonymous cross‐sectional online survey among members of the Lithuanian Association of Neurology. Results: We received 104 completed forms by adult (74, 71.15%) and pediatric neurologists (30, 28.85%). A decrease in epilepsy consultations was noted by 76 (73.1%) specialists, and up to 26 (25.0%) could not provide diagnostic tests at a usual rate. Most respondents (99, 95.2%) would recommend the COVID‐19 vaccine for patients at risk. Telehealth was valued as a useful tool in epilepsy care, especially if combined with timely diagnostic and treatment options (Kruskal‐Wallis chi‐square = 10.392, p = .034 and F [4, 99] = 3.125, p = .018, respectively). According to 85 (81.7%) respondents, video calls could substitute in‐person visits in at least half of all consultations. Conclusions: Despite disrupted epilepsy care, neurologists may benefit from telehealth when providing services for PWE and become vaccination advocates to mitigate the spread of preventable infections.