Telehealth

Telehealth, also known as virtual care, uses digital information and telecommunication technologies to provide health care when participants are separated by distance or time. Telehealth facilitates the exchange and interpretation of text, data, images, audio, or video, with synchronous (e.g., provider and patient available at the same time) or asynchronous communication. Telehealth is similar to telemedicine but includes a wider variety of remote healthcare services beyond the doctor-patient relationship. 

Teleneurology is a subset of telehealth. Neurology specialists provide synchronous (e.g., patient visits and counseling) and asynchronous (e.g., radiology services) care with a focus on neurologic disorders.

Neurology specialists can provide most care via telehealth, including patient interviews, cognitive testing, medication review, and certain physical exams. They can also provide expert consultations for other clinicians and asynchronous review of tests such as MRIs and lab results.

To some degree, neurology specialists can address the needs of most patients via telehealth.

Remote health care services can promote convenience, comfort, and safety, particularly for patients with limited mobility or who may require in-home medical equipment.

Telehealth also allows for increased participation from care partners who may not otherwise engage due to distance or work schedules.

Importantly, patients who live far from their neurologic specialist can maintain continuity of care despite geographic distance.