Evaluation of teleneuropsychology services in veterans during COVID-19.

Abstract

This study evaluated the quality of direct-to-home teleneuropsychology (teleNP) services that offered patients choice of service modality. We conducted a quality assurance project in a sample of Veterans (N = 143) referred for a variety of referral reasons from a Midwestern Veteran Affairs Hospital. Neuropsychological evaluations were conducted between February and June 2021 during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated teleNP rate of use, factors influencing acceptability and feasibility, and cost savings. Approximately 40% of our scheduled patients completed full direct-to-home teleNP, with about 80% of our sample choosing at least one telehealth encounter as part of their evaluation. Age was a significant factor in predicting full teleNP use, with older adults preferring in-person testing. Digital divide consults (i.e., loaned tablets) led to an increase in teleNP use. Those utilizing full teleNP (interview, assessment, feedback) benefited from cost and travel distance savings. Most Veterans in our Midwestern Veteran Affairs Hospital used teleNP services during the second wave of the COVID-19 pandemic, with utilization influenced by specific patient demographics (i.e., age) and access to technology. Offering Veteran choice of assessment modality (in-person or video teleNP) was associated with significant cost reduction due to mileage savings. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2024 APA, all rights reserved).