Telemedicine Experiences of People Living with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis at Home in South Korea.

PURPOSE

Telemedicine is advantageous in providing medical care to patients with mobility difficulties. This single-center study aimed to report on the provision of video televisits to people living with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (pALS, ALS) who were registered with a home-based medical care (HBMC) team in a tertiary hospital in South Korea.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted for pALS provided with video televisits by the HBMC team between July 2020 and February 2023. The patients' demographics, disease status, mobility level, and supportive care equipment were investigated. The main issues discussed at televisits were investigated.

RESULTS

During the 32-month study period, video televisits were provided to 69 (81.2%) of the 85 pALS registered with the HBMC team. Their median (interquartile range) age was 66 (57-71) years, and 66.7% were aged 60 years or older. At the time of the televisits, 71.0% were non-ambulatory and 27.5% were at an assisted ambulatory level. Furthermore, 82.6% were receiving nutritional support with a nasogastric or gastrostomy tube, and 78.3% had received either non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (43.5%) or tracheostomy invasive ventilation (34.8%). Common issues addressed on televisits were disease-related symptoms (100%), management of supportive care equipment (92.8%), acute health issues (52.2%), and advance care planning (ACP) including goal of care discussion (14.5%).

CONCLUSION

Video telemedicine is feasible for pALS, including older adults with limited mobility due to muscle weakness or reliance on various supportive care equipment. Video televisits allow for a variety of discussions, ranging from acute health issues to ACP.