Incorporation of telehealth into a multidisciplinary ALS Clinic: feasibility and acceptability

<p><i>Objective</i>: The practice of telehealth in the care of patients with ALS has received little attention, but has the potential to change the multidisciplinary care model. This study was carried out to assess the feasibility and acceptability of telehealth for ALS care via real-time videoconferencing from the clinic to patients’ homes. <i>Methods</i>: Patients and caregivers engaged in live telehealth videoconferencing from their homes with members of a multidisciplinary ALS care team who were located in an ALS clinic, in place of their usual in-person visit to the clinic. Participating patients, their caregivers, and health care providers (HCPs) completed surveys assessing satisfaction with the visit, quality of care, and confidence with the interface. Mixed methods analysis was used for survey responses. <i>Results</i>: Surveys from 11 patients, 12 caregivers, and 15 HCPs were completed. All patients and caregivers, and most HCPs, agreed that the system allowed for good communication, description of concerns, and provision of care recommendations. The most common sentiment conveyed by each group was that telehealth removed the burdens of travel, resulting in lower stress and more comfortable interactions. Caregivers and HCPs expressed more concerns than patients about the ways in which telehealth fell short of in-person care. <i>Conclusions</i>: Telehealth was generally viewed favourably by ALS patients, caregivers, and multidisciplinary team members. Improvements in technology and in methods to provide satisfactory remote care without person-to-person contact should be explored.</p

Ranked means for TLS processes.

NOTE: All measures with the same grouping letter are not significantly different from each other (p > 0.05). Measures not sharing the same grouping letter are significantly different from each other (p ≤ 0.05, two-tailed). C, Cognitive Rational process domain; S, Social Critique process domain; E, Extrarational process domain. (DOCX)</p

Qualitative data map.

Qualitative data map.</p

Ranked means for TLS outcome scales and process domains.

Ranked means for TLS outcome scales and process domains.</p

Tests of group differences in TL domain means.

Tests of group differences in TL domain means.</p

Definition of transformative learning concepts [10].

This table provides definitions for the various outcomes and processes of Transformative Learning Theory. (DOCX)</p

S1 File -

(PDF)</p

Baseline characteristics of study participants.

Baseline characteristics of study participants.</p