Early impact of the COVID‐19 pandemic on outpatient migraine care in Hawaii: Results of a quality improvement survey

• DOI: 10.1111/head.14030
• Publication Date: 2020-12-15T05:41:36Z
• Authors: Maiya Smith; Max Nakamoto; Julie Crocker; Frances Tiffany M...; Keke Liu; Enze Ma; Ariel Chong; Nicholas Van; Vimala Vajjala; Enrique Carrazana; Jason Viereck; Kore Liow
• Keywords: Pandemic; Depression; Telephone survey

Abstract Objective A survey was implemented for early assessment of pandemic‐related practice processes and quality improvement (QI). Background In response to the public health measures in Hawaii curtail coronavirus 2019 pandemic, Pacific Neuroscience (HPN) adapted their patient care ensure continuity neurological treatment. Methods The telephone conducted on patients seen at HPN during period April 22, 2020–May 18, 2020 address four areas related patients’ outpatient experience: delivery care, general well‐being, experience with telemedicine, disease‐specific questions. Results total 928 were contacted which 429 (46.2%) responded 367 (85.5%) agreed participate. 133 migraine 234 other conditions provided responses. Our responses suggest that well‐being disproportionately negatively affected by pandemic. Survey respondents significantly more likely than non‐migraine peers report worsening anxiety sleep problems [62/132 (47.0%) vs. 78/234 (33.3%), χ 2 = 6.64, p 0.010, 64/132 (48.5%) 73/234 (31.2%), 10.77, 0.001]; also reported depression as a result pandemic diagnoses, though this not statistically significant [44/132 (33.3%) 57/234 (24.4%), 3.40, 0.065]. regard access healthcare, running out medications those diagnoses [20/133 (15.0%) 18/234 (7.7%), 4.93, 0.026]. More avoided seeking medical help new because [30/133 (22.6%) 30/234 (12.8%), 5.88, 0.015]. Migraine impacted economically pandemic; 43/132 (32.4%) losing jobs versus 34/234 (14.5%) ( 11.20, < 0.001). An increase headache severity or frequency 39/118 (33.1%) 19/118 (16.1%) using abortive therapy usual. Telemedicine well received almost all who took advantage option. Most found telemedicine be easy use valuable an in‐person visit. indicated without option, they would have missed appointments [37/68 (54.4%) 56/144 (38.6%), 4.31, 0.038]; majority prefer consider future over visits. Conclusions Insights gained from QI practice's include stressing lifestyle modification, optimizing treatment plans, continuing option telemedicine.