Chronic pain management during the COVID-19 pandemic: Can telemedicine replace in-person consultation? A prospective clinical study

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic forced numerous pain clinics to suspend their services. For chronic pain patients, even a temporary closure and inability to connect with their healthcare providers may result in adverse outcomes. There are serious concerns regarding worsening of physical and emotional suffering and a surge in substance abuse. Therefore, telemedicine, also called telehealth, would seem to be a reasonable alternative to in-person clinic visits during the lockdowns. However, it remains unclear whether a telemedicine consultation is adequate for diagnostic purposes and subsequent intervention planning.

Methods

This study was conducted as an open-label cohort study on new patients referred to an interdisciplinary community pain clinic focused on image-guided

SUBMITTER: Gofeld M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10199647 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature