Patient Feedback on Telehealth: Marisa McGinley, DO

WATCH TIME: 4 minutes

“Patients overwhelmingly have a very positive experience with telehealth. But as with anything in medicine, it's not a one-size-fits-all. There need to be more studies understanding patient perspective perceptions on their virtual care and how they want to incorporate that.”

The use of telehealth has become more prevalent amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and its continued use and integration within the care model remains a topic of discussion amongst health care professionals. Marisa McGinley, DO, staff neurologist, Mellen Center for Multiple Sclerosis Treatment and Research, Cleveland Clinic, addressed this topic in her talk at a recent Institutional Perspectives in Neurology: Multiple Sclerosis event. 

In conversation with NeurologyLive^®, McGinley stated that the patient response to telemedicine has been positive, and clinicians will need to continue to consider the feasibility of internet and technology when it comes to access. Checking in with patients virtually is easily facilitated, she said, as she can have discussions with patients about their symptoms and activities of daily living without the “perfunctory aspects” associated with being in-person. Looking to the future, though, she noted that it will be vital to address the payer and licensure aspects of telehealth, as well as to consider the neurologic exam and avenues for remote monitoring of patients. Having more consistent access to patients is crucial to care, as well as ensuring there are vetted processes for monitoring neurologic function. 

For more coverage of the Institutional Perspectives in Neurology: Multiple Sclerosis events, click here.