Expert teleconsultation involving patients and their primary neurologists for the management of multiple sclerosis in regions without specialists

Objective

This study aimed to describe the usefulness of our teleconsultation system for managing multiple sclerosis (MS) in regions without specialists.

Methods

A cross-sectional questionnaire survey involving 11 MS patients and their primary neurologists was carried out between May and December 2023. Real-time video conferences were conducted between an MS specialist at a hub hospital and patients with their primary neurologists at one of the four regional core hospitals in Hokkaido, Japan. Patients and their primary neurologists completed questionnaires to evaluate the usefulness of the teleconsultation system.

Results

The patients and their primary neurologists were generally satisfied with the teleconsultations and expressed willingness to continue using the system. In particular, alleviating the burden of visiting distant MS-specialized clinics was highly appreciated by patients. In addition, patients gave high scores for questions regarding increased satisfaction with the primary neurologists' care and the treatments they offered. The primary neurologists thought the system enhanced their knowledge of MS management. However, they did not think that the system could ease their burden for managing MS patients because of challenges in time allocation and scheduling for teleconsultation sessions.

Conclusions

The present study suggested that our expert teleconsultation system for MS reduces the burden on patients of visiting distant MS-specialized clinics, and enhances knowledge of MS management for the primary neurologists. It also promotes trust between patients and their primary neurologists, and taken together, these aspects could collectively lead to independent and sustainable MS management in regions without MS specialists.