Physicians Preferences of Virtual Versus In-Person Visits in Neuromuscular Clinical Practice

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Husam Al sultani ◽  
Komal Hafeez ◽  
Muhammed Hafeez ◽  
Aziz Shaibani

Background: While the role of telemedicine is well established in certain fields of medicine, its role in disciplines like Neuromuscular medicine is not clear. COVID 19 pandemic compelled the medical community to utilize telemedicine and policies were rapidly changed to continue patient care during the pandemic. However, to guide the future of telemedicine in this field where a physical exam is an integral part of the visit, it is imperative to get a physician's opinion on this matter. We designed this study to assess the opinion of neuromuscular physicians about telemedicine, their preference, and factors influencing their decision. Methods: We used an online form composed of eleven questions to survey 94 neuromuscular specialists across the USA and Canada during September 2020. Results:  90.43% of participating neuromuscular specialists preferred physical visits with new patients versus 44.68% preferred physical visits with follow-up patients. The majority thought that telemedicine reduces revenue (58.51%), quality of service (57.45%), and quality time spent with patients (62.77%). Nevertheless, most surveyed physicians agreed that telemedicine is time-efficient (84.04%), improves patient compliance (70.21%), and will be a long-term solution in clinical practice (67.02%). Finally, 58.51% revealed that telemedicine does not affect workload. Conclusion: Neuromuscular specialists preferred seeing new patients and revealing a new diagnosis to the patient in physical visits, but they also considered telemedicine a long-term method that would continue to increase in the post-pandemic future, emphasizing the need to address their concerns to facilitate telemedicine.   

2021 ◽  
pp. bmjspcare-2020-002699
Author(s):  
Marthe Peeters ◽  
Germaine Ottenheijm ◽  
Paul Bienfait ◽  
Daniëlle Eekers ◽  
Anja Gijtenbeek ◽  
...  

IntroductionRoutine assessment of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in oncology has shown to improve the quality of the delivered care and to prolong survival. However, for successful implementation of routine assessment of PROs, more knowledge on their usability in clinical practice is needed.ObjectiveThis study aimed to cross-sectionally assess the perspective of patients and clinicians on the practicality of routinely measuring PROs in clinical practice for glioma patients.MethodsSemistructured interviews were conducted evaluating the role of healthcare professionals (HCP) in discussing results of PRO measures (PROMs), and the preferred topics, methods and frequency of PRO assessment. Glioma patients, their proxies and HCPs involved in the treatment of glioma patients from eight centres in the Netherlands were included.ResultsTwenty-four patients, 16 proxies and 35 HCPs were interviewed. The majority of patients, proxies and HCPs (92%, 81% and 80%, respectively) were willing to discuss PRO results during consultations. Although HCPs prefer that results are discussed with the nurse specialist, only one-third of patients/proxies agreed. Functioning of daily life was considered important in all three groups. Most participants indicated that discussion of PROM results should take place during standard follow-up visits, and completed at home about 1 week in advance. On group level, there was no preference for administration of questionnaires on paper or digitally. Lastly, all centres had staff available to send questionnaires on paper.ConclusionThis study shows that routine assessment of PROs is desired by patients, proxies and HCP’s in neuro-oncological care in Dutch hospitals.


Author(s):  
Ashish Kumar Dixit ◽  
Nibha Giri ◽  
Shishir Singh

Abstract Objectives The long-term consequences of COVID-19 survivors care and post-coronavirus infection are not yet well understood. The review aims to see whether homoeopathy can help COVID-19 survivors recover from its consequences and improve their quality of life. Content A systematic search of published articles for post-COVID sequelae and the impact of Homoeopathy were conducted. For the literature search, the major electronic bio-medical database PubMed/MEDLINE was used. In addition, supplementary searches were conducted through the references of those published articles. Summary A total of 113 records were identified of which 61 studies included for this review. Homoeopathy is effective in the treatment of mental disorders including anxiety and depressive disorder (ADD), some research studies have found, although systematic reviews disagree. Likewise, some medical societies denounce homoeopathy for pain management; other literature shows that it can be used to treat pain effectively. Homoeopathy can aid in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases, as Crataegus, a homoeopathic medication, was found to be just as effective as a standard angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and diuretic treatment for minor cardiac insufficiency. The outcomes for Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Influenza, and Acute Respiratory Tract Infections (ARTIs) are also promising. Outlook Based on the results of homoeopathy in non-COVID conditions, it can be thought of in the management of post-COVID-19 outcomes. Consequently, we propose that while investigating post-COVID-19 patient rehabilitation, homoeopathic management may be included as part of the follow-up route and as much data as possible in the context of homoeopathy should be collected, so that in future, the role of homoeopathy in dealing with it can be better demonstrated.


BMJ Open ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. e048325
Author(s):  
Katarina Aili ◽  
Susann Arvidsson ◽  
Maria Olsson ◽  
Marianne Jarfelt ◽  
Jens Nygren

IntroductionAcute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) is the most common form of cancer in children. Although treatment methods have improved and resulted in significant improvement of survival and reduction in late effects and late mortality risk, the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of survivors might be affected. To introduce new interventions in clinical practice with the potential to support positive HRQOL outcomes, more knowledge is needed on how HRQOL in this group is constructed and stimulated. The purpose of this study is to investigate how HRQOL is affected in adults treated for paediatric ALL, in a long-term perspective and possible factors influencing this relationship.Methods and analysisThis cohort of young adult ALL survivors allows for investigations of factors influencing HRQOL outcomes on a national level. Eligible participants are obtained from the Swedish Childhood Cancer quality registry. Data collection includes both a follow-up of data collected in 2012 (n=224) and recruitment of new eligible participants to the cohort (n=601). The cohort will cover survivors of paediatric ALL, diagnosed between 1985 and 2007, at an age between 0 and 15 years. Data will be collected using validated, multidimensional, self-administered instruments, designed to measure HRQOL (SF-36), social support, sense of coherence and resilience.Ethics and disseminationThe study will be carried out in accordance with the ethics permit obtained from the Swedish ethics review authority (Dnr 2019-05181). Dissemination of study results will take place through research articles and reports to the national patient organisation and the national network for consultancy nurses for this target group and to the working group for the Swedish national long-term care programme for childhood cancer. Results will also reach practical application within the follow-up clinic for adult childhood cancer survivors at Sahlgrenska Hospital in Gothenburg.


Nutrients ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (4) ◽  
pp. 1060
Author(s):  
Anna Alakoski ◽  
Kaisa Hervonen ◽  
Eriika Mansikka ◽  
Timo Reunala ◽  
Katri Kaukinen ◽  
...  

The treatment of choice for dermatitis herpetiformis (DH), a cutaneous manifestation of coeliac disease, is a life-long gluten-free diet (GFD). In a GFD, wheat, rye and barley should be strictly avoided, but the role of oats is more controversial. This study aimed to investigate the safety and long-term quality of life and health effects of oat consumption in 312 long-term treated DH patients. Baseline data were gathered from patient records and follow-up data from questionnaires or interviews, and validated questionnaires were used to assess quality of life. We found that altogether 256 patients (82%) were consuming oats as part of their GFD at the follow-up. Long-term follow-up data showed that there were no differences in the presence of long-term illnesses, coeliac disease complications or the usage of medication between those consuming and not consuming oats. However, oat consumers had a better quality of life and reported ongoing gastrointestinal symptoms less frequently (4% vs 19%, p = 0.004) at the follow-up than those not consuming oats. The study established that oats are safe for DH patients and in the long-term seem to improve the quality of life of DH patients.


2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (S2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Benjamin Terrier ◽  
◽  
Raphaël Darbon ◽  
Cécile-Audrey Durel ◽  
Eric Hachulla ◽  
...  

AbstractSystemic necrotizing vasculitis comprises a group of diseases resembling polyarteritis nodosa and anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (ANCA): granulomatosis with polyangiitis, eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis, and microscopic polyangiitis. The definitive diagnosis is made in cooperation with a reference center for autoimmune diseases and rare systemic diseases or a competency center. The management goals are: to obtain remission and, in the long term, healing; to reduce the risk of relapses; to limit and reduce the sequelae linked to the disease; to limit the side effects and the sequelae linked to the treatments; to improve or at least maintain the best possible quality of life; and to maintain socio-professional integration and/or allow a rapid return to school and/or professional activity. Information and therapeutic education of the patients and those around them are an integral part of the care. All health professionals and patients should be informed of the existence of patient associations. The treatment of vasculitis is based on variable combinations of glucocorticoids and immunosuppressants, chosen and adapted according to the disease concerned, the severity and/or extent of the disease, and the underlying factors (age, kidney function, etc.). Follow-up clinical and paraclinical examinations must be carried out regularly to clarify the progression of the disease, detect and manage treatment failures and possible relapses early on, and limit sequelae and complications (early then late) related to the disease or treatment. A distinction is made between the induction therapy, lasting approximately 3–6 months and aimed at putting the disease into remission, and the maintenance treatment, lasting 12–48 months, or even longer. The role of the increase or testing positive again for ANCA as a predictor of a relapse, which has long been controversial, now seems to have greater consensus: Anti-myeloperoxidase ANCAs are less often associated with a relapse of vasculitis than anti-PR3 ANCA.


2013 ◽  
Author(s):  
Francesca Menegazzo ◽  
Melissa Rosa Rizzotto ◽  
Martina Bua ◽  
Luisa Pinello ◽  
Elisabetta Tono ◽  
...  

2012 ◽  
Vol 60 (S 01) ◽  
Author(s):  
I Kammerer ◽  
M Höhn ◽  
AH Kiessling ◽  
S Becker ◽  
FU Sack

2011 ◽  
pp. 85-89 ◽  
Author(s):  
Giorgio Pezzi

No real improvement in the technological quality of beet has been recorded over the last 15 years in Northern Italy. Among the possible explanations for the quality stagnation is that the traditional formulae cannot correctly differentiate between sugarbeet varieties which produce thick juice of very high purity. This seems to be connected with the role of potassium. The use of a standard purification procedure gives reliable and accurate data which is immediately comparable with the factory data. Research projects on medium/long term storage are currently being performed by Co.Pro.B., Italy, in cooperation with Syngenta and Beta. Up to now the results have shown that storage of sugarbeet in autumn time in northern Italy is possible provided that suitable varieties and proper handling of the roots are employed. Results obtained in the storage trials are reported. Correlations have been found between quality parameters (purity, color and lime salts) of the purified juice with the glucose content of the raw juice. An interesting correlation is reported between purified juice purity and raw juice purity.


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