Feasibility of epilepsy follow-up care through telemedicine: a pilot study on the patient's perspective.
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.
Ahmed
Syed Nizamuddin
SN
Department of Neurology, University of Alberta Hospital, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. snahmed@ualberta.ca
Mann
Carly
C
Sinclair
D Barry
DB
Heino
Angela
A
Iskiw
Blayne
B
Quigley
Daphne
D
Ohinmaa
Arto
A
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