DECEMBER - 20228In My OpinionAdedicated teacher may have a migraine but lacks time to see a headache specialist. A 75-year old recovering from a stroke and living alone is wondering how to stay safe in their home. An octogenarian living in a nursing home with worsening dementia feels scared in unfamiliar places but needs an evaluation from a neurologist. Without telehealth, these individuals may delay or never get care because going to a doctor's office is difficult for them. Not getting the care they need may negatively affect their health and quality of life. Telehealth has many benefits, including enhancing access to healthcare, facilitating accurate and comprehensive clinical evaluations, preventing medical emergencies and improving stroke care.Telehealth at Nuvance Health Nuvance Health swiftly shifted to telehealth at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in a matter of weeks -- which was months' worth of work -- to continue caring for our patients. We implemented telehealth in our primary care and speciality practices across Connecticut and New York, including throughout our Neuroscience Institute. During the initial peak of the pandemic, nearly 90 percent of all medical practice visits were remote.Today, Nuvance Health continues to offer telehealth visits at our medical practices so patients can get the care they need wherever is most convenient for them. About 12 percent of all medical practice visits are remote, except during COVID-19 surges, where there is an increase in telehealth visits to nearly 50 percent of all visits. Enhancing Access to HealthcareTelehealth has expanded access to care for our patients with neurological conditions, especially patients with limited mobility after having a stroke or from movement disorders like Parkinson's disease.Telehealth has also been beneficial for our patients with dementia. An in-office visit can cause a great deal of stress for patients with Alzheimer's disease and their caregivers and loved ones. This neurodegenerative disease can cause patients to feel anxious and fearful in unfamiliar locations. They may have limited or no control of their bodily functions or faculties. Telehealth has enabled us to provide high-quality care to these patients while maintaining their comfort, safety and dignity.Telehealth visits are a convenient and safe option compared to in-office visits during inclement weather. Winter weather in the Northeast, like ice and snowstorms, can make HOW TELEHEALTH BENEFITS PATIENTS WITH NEUROLOGICAL CONCERNSDr. Paul Wright, Senior Vice President and System Chair of the Neuroscience Institute, Nuvance HealthBy
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