title: Feasibility of epilepsy follow-up care through telemedicine: a pilot study on the patient's perspective.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Cost analysis and patient satisfaction with telemedicine in epilepsy care.
  
  
  METHODS
  This controlled study included out-of-town epilepsy patients coming to follow-up at the University of Alberta hospital epilepsy clinic. After an informed consent, patients were randomized to either conventional (n = 18) or telemedicine (n = 23) clinics. Patients or caregivers filled patient satisfaction and travel cost questionnaires in both alternatives. Cost per visit analysis included costs of traveling, lodging, and lost productivity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Average age of the population was 41 years (range 19-73; 45% women). Eighty-three percent of patients preferred their next visit through telemedicine. About 90% of patients indicated a need for companion travel (mainly by car) to conventional clinic. For the conventional group patients the value of lost productivity was CAD $201, hotel cost CAD $8.50, and the value of car mileage CAD $256.50, totaling about CAD $466.00. Patient costs for telemedicine were CAD $35.85. Telemedicine production costs are similar to the patients' savings in traveling and lost productivity. About 90% of patients in both groups were satisfied with the quality of the service.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Telemedicine can play a role in follow-up care of epilepsy patients, reduce patient costs, and improve patient satisfaction. This is the first full-time epilepsy telemedicine clinic in Western Canada.
authors: Department of Neurology, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. snahmed@ualberta.ca
authors: Syed Nizamuddin
authors: SN
authors: Ahmed
authors: Carly
authors: C
authors: Mann
authors: D Barry
authors: DB
authors: Sinclair
authors: Angela
authors: A
authors: Heino
authors: Blayne
authors: B
authors: Iskiw
authors: Daphne
authors: D
authors: Quigley
authors: Arto
authors: A
authors: Ohinmaa
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D002170:Canada; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006798:Housing / Q000191:economics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods*; D014195:Travel / Q000191:economics; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000191:economics