title: Tele-treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
abstract: Management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mainly consists of (psycho) social support and advice on activities of daily living. We evaluated the effects of tele-treatment in addition to the conventional method of care in four patients with ALS. A Web application was built with information about ALS and a link to the tele-treatment environment. The latter contained a chat room and a link to start personal computer (PC)-based videoconferencing with a rehabilitation physician. The effect on quality of care was evaluated by questionnaires and interviews. The interviews showed that patients were satisfied with tele-treatment and experienced a pleasant contact during teleconsultations. The rehabilitation physician experienced acceptance of tele-treatment by the patients and a decrease in the time needed for travelling. Tele-treatment was especially suitable for discussing the practical issues about ALS. On the other hand, psychosocial and emotional issues still needed to be discussed during traditional face-to-face contact. Therefore tele-treatment should only be given in addition to face-to-face contact, rather than as a replacement for it.
authors.affiliation: Roessingh Research and Development, Enschede, The Netherlands. wendy@ilca.nl
authors.forename: Wendy Oude
authors.initials: WO
authors.lastname: Nijeweme-d'Hollosy
authors.forename: Emile P F
authors.initials: EP
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.forename: Rianne M H A
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Huis in 't Veld
authors.forename: Jos
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Spoelstra
authors.forename: Miriam M R
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Vollenbroek-Hutten
authors.forename: Hermie J
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Hermens
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000628:therapy*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D019114:Remote Consultation; D012944:Social Support; D049269:Videoconferencing