Cancer, cognition, and COVID: delivering direct-to-home teleneuropsychology services to neuro-oncology patients

• DOI: 10.1093/nop/npab021
• Publication Date: 2021-04-09T02:41:19Z
• Authors: Melissa M Gardner; Farah J Aslanzadeh; Giuliana V Zarrella; Sarah E Braun; Ashlee R Loughan; Michael W Parsons
• Keywords: 03 medical and health sciences; 0302 clinical medicine; Original Articles; 3. Good health

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic induced rapid adoption of telemedicine services for neuro-oncology patients at an increased risk infection. Neuropsychological assessment is important to care yet challenging complete outside a structured testing environment. Teleneuropsychology (TNP) has been explored in limited populations and proven feasible reliable. Conducting TNP visits directly patients’ home (DTH) had minimal prior study. Methods We used two voluntary surveys examine acceptance (patients) feasibility (providers) DTH-TNP regionally diverse medical institutions providing neuropsychological from April September 2020. Results A total 119 were scheduled during the study period, 79 whom completed via DTH-TNP. Neuropsychology providers on 68 these encounters (86%). In 98% cases, neuropsychologists able achieve or partially individually defined goals their assessment. Common problems reported included patient dysregulation (16%) slow/unreliable internet (15%). Of 52 who responded, satisfied with experience, 92% would recommend virtual visit others. All respondents felt understood by examiner (100%) majority denied technical difficulties (90%), communication challenges (94%), privacy concerns (98%). Patients reduced infection saved travel time as favorable aspects Conclusions These preliminary results suggest find acceptable it practice, while also recognizing its limitations. that further (eg, reliability, validity) warranted.