Telemedicine

Home-based telerehabilitation demonstrated improved quality of life but was not confirmed to be equivalent to center-based pulmonary rehabilitation, researchers reported at the virtual European Respiratory Society International Congress.

COVID-19 still pulls focus in rheumatology, with National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease director Anthony S. Fauci, MD, headlining a slate of blockbuster speakers at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Convergence.

Telemedicine exploded during COVID-19 lockdowns, but there are sure to be challenges sorting out the technological, legal and logistical hurdles to suit the reality of more widespread tele-rheumatology programs post-pandemic, according to a presenter at the 2020 Congress of Clinical Rheumatology-East.

The rapid implementation of telemedicine in a large pediatric neurology network due to the COVID-19 pandemic revealed that telemedicine is feasible and effective for “a large proportion” of this patient population.

A research effort is underway to evaluate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on hematology and oncology practices across Latin America.

There is no question that COVID-19 has changed rheumatology clinical practice. Sanitation and social distancing have become top priorities, practices are operating under financial duress due to lower patient volume and telehealth – once on the fringe in the specialty – has become routine.

Lessons learned from the 1918 influenza pandemic and the pioneering use of telehealth in the military have allowed rheumatologists “to adapt quickly” to COVID-19 conditions, according to a panel of presenters.

The COVID-19 outbreak and subsequent disruptions to daily life, working conditions and the economy have had a profound impact on how clinical trials for cancer are conducted, with potentially lasting implications.

A speaker at the virtual Global Innovations in Patient-Centered Kidney Care: International Summit reviewed the benefits of telehealth, which was expanded by CMS in March as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

A comprehensive online home monitoring program for patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis did not improve health-related quality of life, but improved patients’ psychological well-being.