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The Journal of Headache and Pain
Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain 1/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Migraine | Research article

Hospital-based headache care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark and Norway

Authors: Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen, Kashif Waqar Faiz, Else Charlotte Sandset, Anette Margrethe Storstein, Simon Stefansen, Bendik Slagsvold Winsvold, Jakob Møller Hansen

Published in: The Journal of Headache and Pain | Issue 1/2020

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Abstract

Background

The Covid-19 pandemic is causing changes in delivery of medical care worldwide. It is not known how the management of headache patients was affected by the lockdown during the pandemic. The aim of the present study was to investigate how the initial phase of the Covid-19 pandemic affected the hospital management of headache in Denmark and Norway.

Methods

All neurological departments in Denmark (n = 14) and Norway (n = 18) were invited to a questionnaire survey. The study focused on the lockdown and all questions were answered in regard to the period between March 12th and April 15th, 2020.

Results

The responder rate was 91% (29/32). Of the neurological departments 86% changed their headache practice during the lockdown. The most common change was a shift to more telephone consultations (86%). Video consultations were offered by 45%.
The number of new headache referrals decreased. Only 36% administered botulinum toxin A treatment according to usual schemes. Sixty% reported that fewer patients were admitted for in-hospital emergency diagnostics and treatment. Among departments conducting headache research 57% had to halt ongoing projects. Overall, 54% reported that the standard of care was worse for headache patients during the pandemic.

Conclusion

Hospital-based headache care and research was impacted in Denmark and Norway during the initial phase of the Covid-19-pandemic.
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Metadata
Title
Hospital-based headache care during the Covid-19 pandemic in Denmark and Norway
Authors
Espen Saxhaug Kristoffersen
Kashif Waqar Faiz
Else Charlotte Sandset
Anette Margrethe Storstein
Simon Stefansen
Bendik Slagsvold Winsvold
Jakob Møller Hansen
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
The Journal of Headache and Pain / Issue 1/2020
Print ISSN: 1129-2369
Electronic ISSN: 1129-2377
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s10194-020-01195-2

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