Randomized controlled clinical trial of "virtual house calls" for Parkinson disease.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

The burden of neurological disorders is increasing, but access to care is limited. Providing specialty care to patients via telemedicine could help alleviate this growing problem.

Objective

To evaluate the feasibility, effectiveness, and economic benefits of using web-based videoconferencing (telemedicine) to provide specialty care to patients with Parkinson disease in their homes.

Design

A 7-month, 2-center, randomized controlled clinical trial.

Setting

Patients' homes and outpatient clinics at 2 academic medical centers.

Participants

Twenty patients with Parkinson disease with Internet access at home.

Intervention

Care from a specialist delivered remotely at home or in person in the clinic.

Main outcome measures

The primary out

SUBMITTER: Dorsey ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3791511 | biostudies-literature | 2013 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature