Telemedicine for Outpatient Neurosurgical Oncology Care: Lessons Learned for the Future During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
BACKGROUND
The coronavirus 2019 (COVD-19) pandemic has drastically disrupted the delivery of neurosurgical care, especially for the already at-risk neuro-oncology population. The sudden change to clinic visits has rapidly spurned the implementation of telemedicine. A recommendation care paradigm of neuro-oncologic patients limited by telemedicine has not been reported.


METHODS
A summary of a multi-institution experience detailing the potential benefits, pitfalls, and the necessary considerations to outpatient care of neurosurgical oncology patients.


RESULTS
There are limitations and advantages to incorporating telemedicine into the outpatient care of neuro-oncology patients. Telemedicine-specific considerations for each step and stakeholder of the appointment (physician, patient, scheduling, previsit, imaging, and physical examination) are examined.


CONCLUSIONS
Telemedicine, pushed to prominence during this COVID-19 pandemic, is a powerful and possibly preferential tool for the future of outpatient neuro-oncologic care.
['Daggubati|Lekhaj C|LC|', 'Eichberg|Daniel G|DG|', 'Ivan|Michael E|ME|', 'Hanft|Simon|S|', 'Mansouri|Alireza|A|', 'Komotar|Ricardo J|RJ|', "D'Amico|Randy S|RS|", 'Zacharia|Brad E|BE|']
D000556:Ambulatory Surgical Procedures D000073640:Betacoronavirus D000086382:COVID-19 D018352:Coronavirus Infections D005544:Forecasting D006801:Humans D008495:Medical Oncology D009493:Neurosurgery D058873:Pandemics D011024:Pneumonia, Viral D000086402:SARS-CoV-2 D017216:Telemedicine
Telemedicine COVID-19 Coronavirus Neuro-oncology Brain tumor Telehealth