Telemedicine in French Memory Clinics During the COVID-19 Pandemic

J Alzheimers Dis. 2022;86(2):525-530. doi: 10.3233/JAD-215459.

Abstract

This multicenter study was conducted in French memory clinics during the first COVID-2019 lockdown (March-May 2020). The objective was to evaluate the effect of a telemedicine consultation on treatment modification in dementia care. Among 874 patients who had a telemedicine consultation, 103 (10.7%) had treatment modifications, in particular those living with a relative or diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. A control group of patients referred March-May 2019 was also included. Treatment modification rate was similar between periods with an adjusted percentage difference of -4% (p = 0.27). Telemedicine consultations allowed treatment modifications with only a minor short-term negative impact on therapeutic strategies.

Keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; COVID-19; psychoactive drugs; telemedicine; treatments in dementia.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Communicable Disease Control
  • Humans
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Telemedicine*