Telemedicine in epilepsy: How can we improve care, teaching, and awareness?

Epilepsy Behav. 2020 Feb;103(Pt A):106854. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106854. Epub 2020 Jan 6.

Abstract

Telemedicine (TM) is the use of telecommunications' technologies to provide medical information and services. Telehealth (TH) permits broader and psychosocial support for patients and their families. We aimed to highlight the importance of the use of TH for all aspects of epilepsy, either for the scientific aspects (e.g., research, education, care, management, etc.) or for the social matters (e.g., education, sensitization, association support, etc.). There is a deep gap in knowledge and use of TH in the developing and developed countries. Epilepsy is a condition responsible for 1% of the global burden of disease. More than 50 million people have epilepsy, and barriers to care include shortage of human resources, medical facilities, and resources. Eighty (80) percent of people with epilepsy (PWE) live in low- and middle-income countries. Telehealth has the potential of addressing limited resources and improving access to PWE across the globe.

Keywords: Care; Education; Epilepsy; Scientific; Social; Telemedicine.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Caregivers / education
  • Caregivers / trends
  • Epilepsy / diagnosis
  • Epilepsy / therapy*
  • Health Personnel / education*
  • Health Personnel / trends
  • Humans
  • Neurologists / education
  • Neurologists / trends
  • Patient Care / methods*
  • Patient Care / trends
  • Teaching* / trends
  • Telemedicine / methods*
  • Telemedicine / trends