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Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports
Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports 5/2018

01-05-2018 | Movement Disorders (S Fox, Section Editor)

The Promise of Telemedicine for Movement Disorders: an Interdisciplinary Approach

Authors: H. Ben-Pazi, P. Browne, P. Chan, E. Cubo, M. Guttman, A. Hassan, J. Hatcher-Martin, Z. Mari, E. Moukheiber, N. U. Okubadejo, A. Shalash, the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Telemedicine Task Force

Published in: Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports | Issue 5/2018

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Advances in technology have expanded telemedicine opportunities covering medical practice, research, and education. This is of particular importance in movement disorders (MDs), where the combination of disease progression, mobility limitations, and the sparse distribution of MD specialists increase the difficulty to access. In this review, we discuss the prospects, challenges, and strategies for telemedicine in MDs.

Recent Findings

Telemedicine for MDs has been mainly evaluated in Parkinson’s disease (PD) and compared to in-office care is cost-effective with similar clinical care, despite the barriers to engagement. However, particular groups including pediatric patients, rare MDs, and the use of telemedicine in underserved areas need further research.

Summary

Interdisciplinary telemedicine and tele-education for MDs are feasible, provide similar care, and reduce travel costs and travel time compared to in-person visits. These benefits have been mainly demonstrated for PD but serve as a model for further validation in other movement disorders.
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Metadata
Title
The Promise of Telemedicine for Movement Disorders: an Interdisciplinary Approach
Authors
H. Ben-Pazi
P. Browne
P. Chan
E. Cubo
M. Guttman
A. Hassan
J. Hatcher-Martin
Z. Mari
E. Moukheiber
N. U. Okubadejo
A. Shalash
the International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society Telemedicine Task Force
Publication date
01-05-2018
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
Current Neurology and Neuroscience Reports / Issue 5/2018
Print ISSN: 1528-4042
Electronic ISSN: 1534-6293
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s11910-018-0834-6

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