TY - JOUR
T1 - Tele-treatment of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)
AU - Oude Nijeweme-d'Hollosy, Wendy
AU - Janssen, Emile P.F.
AU - Huis in 't Veld, Rianne M.H.A.
AU - Spoelstra, Jos
AU - Vollenbroek-Hutten, Miriam M.R.
AU - Hermens, Hermie J.
PY - 2006
Y1 - 2006
N2 - Management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mainly consists of (psycho) social support and advice on activities of daily living. We evaluated the effects of tele-treatment in addition to the conventional method of care in four patients with ALS. A Web application was built with information about ALS and a link to the tele-treatment environment. The latter contained a chat room and a link to start personal computer (PC)-based videoconferencing with a rehabilitation physician. The effect on quality of care was evaluated by questionnaires and interviews. The interviews showed that patients were satisfied with tele-treatment and experienced a pleasant contact during teleconsultations. The rehabilitation physician experienced acceptance of tele-treatment by the patients and a decrease in the time needed for travelling. Tele-treatment was especially suitable for discussing the practical issues about ALS. On the other hand, psychosocial and emotional issues still needed to be discussed during traditional face-to-face contact. Therefore tele-treatment should only be given in addition to face-to-face contact, rather than as a replacement for it.
AB - Management of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) mainly consists of (psycho) social support and advice on activities of daily living. We evaluated the effects of tele-treatment in addition to the conventional method of care in four patients with ALS. A Web application was built with information about ALS and a link to the tele-treatment environment. The latter contained a chat room and a link to start personal computer (PC)-based videoconferencing with a rehabilitation physician. The effect on quality of care was evaluated by questionnaires and interviews. The interviews showed that patients were satisfied with tele-treatment and experienced a pleasant contact during teleconsultations. The rehabilitation physician experienced acceptance of tele-treatment by the patients and a decrease in the time needed for travelling. Tele-treatment was especially suitable for discussing the practical issues about ALS. On the other hand, psychosocial and emotional issues still needed to be discussed during traditional face-to-face contact. Therefore tele-treatment should only be given in addition to face-to-face contact, rather than as a replacement for it.
U2 - 10.1258/135763306777978434
DO - 10.1258/135763306777978434
M3 - Article
SN - 1357-633X
VL - 12
SP - 31
EP - 34
JO - Journal of telemedicine and telecare
JF - Journal of telemedicine and telecare
IS - 1, Suppl.
ER -