The COVID-19 pandemic and neurology: A survey on previous and continued restrictions for clinical practice, curricular training, and health economics

Background and Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted health systems worldwide. Here, we assessed the pandemic's impact on clinical service, curricular training, and financial burden from a neurological viewpoint during the enforced lockdown periods and the assumed recovery by 2023. Methods An online 18-item survey was conducted by the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force among the EAN community. The survey was online between February and March 2023. Questions related to general, demographic, clinical, work, education, and economic aspects. Results We collected 430 responses from 79 countries. Most health care professionals were aged 35–44 years, with >15 years of work experience. The key findings of their observations were as follows. (i) Clinical services were cut back in all neurological subspecialties during the most restrictive COVID-19 lockdown period. The most affected neurological subspecialties were services for patients with dementia, and neuromuscular and movement disorders. The levels of reduction and the pace of recovery were distinct for acute emergencies and in- and outpatient care. Recovery was slow for sleep medicine, autonomic nervous system disorders, neurorehabilitation, and dementia care. (ii) Student and residency rotations and grand rounds were reorganized, and congresses were converted into a virtual format. Conferences are partly maintained in a hybrid format. (iii) Affordability of neurological care and medication shortage are emerging issues. Conclusions Recovery of neurological services up to spring 2023 has been incomplete following substantial disruption of neurological care, medical education, and health economics in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The continued limitations for the delivery of neurological care threaten brain health and call for action on a global scale

The European Academy of Neurology NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force: A lesson for the future

Background:The COVID-19 pandemic has made its mark on world history forever causing millions of deaths, and straining health systems, economies, and societies worldwide. The European Academy of Neurology (EAN) reacted promptly. A special NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force was set up at the beginning of the pandemic to promote knowledge, research, international collaborations, and raise awareness about the prevention and treatment of COVID-19-related neurological issues. Methods Activities carried out during and after the pandemic by the EAN NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force are described. The main aim was to review all these initiatives in detail as an overarching lesson from the past to improve the present and be better prepared in case of future pandemics. Results During the pandemic, the Task Force was engaged in several initiatives: the creation of the EAN NEuro-covid ReGistrY (ENERGY); the launch of several surveys (neurological manifestations of COVID-19 infection; the pandemic's impact on patients with chronic neurological diseases; the pandemic's impact of restrictions for clinical practice, curricular training, and health economics); the publication of position papers regarding the management of patients with neurological diseases during the pandemic, and vaccination hesitancy among people with chronic neurological disorders; and the creation of a dedicated “COVID-19 Breaking News” section in EANpages. Conclusions The EAN NeuroCOVID-19 Task Force was immediately engaged in various activities to participate in the fight against COVID-19. The Task Force's concerted strategy may serve as a foundation for upcoming global neurological emergencies

A plea for equitable global access to COVID‐19 diagnostics, vaccination and therapy: The NeuroCOVID‐19 Task Force of the European Academy of Neurology

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), a multi‐organ disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2), continues to challenge health and care systems around the globe. The pandemic has disrupted acute neurology services and routine patient care and has impacted the clinical course in patients with chronic neurological disease. COVID‐19 appears to have exposed inequalities of societies and healthcare systems and had a disproportionate impact on already vulnerable communities. The next challenge will be to set up initiatives to stop disparities in all aspects related to COVID‐19. From the medical perspective, there is a need to consider inequalities in prevention, treatment and long‐term consequences. Some of the issues of direct relevance to neurologists are summarised. With this appraisal, the European Academy of Neurology NeuroCOVID‐19 Task Force intends to raise awareness of the potential impact of COVID‐19 on inequalities in healthcare and calls for action to prevent disparity at individual, national and supranational levels