Objective: To evaluate telemedicine use amongst global members of the International Parkinson and Movement Disorders Society (MDS).

Background: The current utilization of telemedicine by healthcare providers in the field of movement disorders is unknown.

Methods: All 6053 MDS members were invited to participate in an online survey regarding telemedicine use in October 2015.

Results: Of 549 (9.1%) survey responders, 80% were physicians, 25% were from the USA (remainder 82 countries all ≤ 5%), and 65% worked in academic practice. Half of responders personally used telemedicine to deliver clinical care. Hardware use included a desktop (86%), laptop (50%), smartphone (29%) or tablet (24%); software was PC-based (28%) or Skype (23%). Most (70%) had staff/helpdesk assistance. 39% of responders were not reimbursed for telemedicine. The main uses were follow-up (40%) or new patient video-visits (36%). In the past year, 59% of responders carried out video-visits; 14% performed >25 visits and 6% performed ≥100 visits. The vast majority (94%) saw patients ≥11 miles away within the same state/region, followed by out-of-state (29%), local (≤10 miles) (23%), or international (13%) connections. Video-visits connected to outpatient clinics (51%), hospital inpatients (31%), patient homes (30%), emergency rooms (24%), long-term care facilities (12%), and prisons (2%). Most (77%) lasted <30 minutes and 4% lasted >1 hour. Compared to office visits, video-visits were rated as shorter by 48% of responders, longer by 24%; as inferior quality by 48%, or equivalent by 43%. The most common challenges were a limited neurological exam (59%) and technology difficulties (52%). The most common benefits were reduced patient travel time (93%) and patient cost (60%). Half planned to use video visits next year. Most (80%) viewed a recording of patient movements on a handheld device; one-third used patient care apps (e.g. tremor-recording, accelerometry, exercise). 75% were interested in a telemedicine education course.

Conclusions: Although the survey response was low and possibly biased telemedicine experience, most responders recognized patient benefit of telemedicine (travel time, cheaper cost) despite physician limitations (lack of reimbursement, perceived inferiority of video to office visit). Half of responders currently provide telemedicine care to movement disorders patients in a variety of settings, and half plan to use it in 2016. Telemedicine education is highly desired, and should be included in MDS meetings.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/survey-of-telemedicine-use-among-mds-members/