P.005 A virtual interdisciplinary diagnostic memory clinic: rural patient and caregiver satisfaction

Background: Saskatchewan’s Rural and Remote Memory Clinic (RRMC) has provided post-diagnostic virtual dementia care for approximately 19 years. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a new need for remote dementia diagnosis, we developed a virtual, team-based, interdisciplinary (neurology, neurops...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Canadian journal of neurological sciences 2023-06, Vol.50 (s2), p.S58-S58
Main Authors: O’Connell, ME, Camicioli, R, Cammer, A, Chertkow, H, Desmarais, P, Fisk, JD, Freedman, M, Friedman, N, Geddes, M, Ismail, Z, Kirk, A, Lee, L, Morgan, DG, Pettersen, J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Abstracts
Adult Neurology (CNS/CSC)
Caregivers
Dementia
Dementia and Cognitive Disorders
Interdisciplinary aspects
Memory
Pandemics
Poster Presentations
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Summary:Background: Saskatchewan’s Rural and Remote Memory Clinic (RRMC) has provided post-diagnostic virtual dementia care for approximately 19 years. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic and a new need for remote dementia diagnosis, we developed a virtual, team-based, interdisciplinary (neurology, neuropsychology, nursing), diagnostic memory clinic (vRRMC). We evaluated patient and caregiver satisfaction with the new virtual clinic. Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with rural vRRMC patients (n=7), caregivers (n= 13), and one patient/caregiver dyad. Ages of respondents ranged from 40 to 70 years old (60% female). Level of diagnosed cognitive dysfunction ranged from subjective cognitive impairment to major neurocognitive disorder. Respondents saved an average of 460 km of travel compared to a trip to Saskatoon. Results: Thematic analysis of responses revealed universal satisfaction with the virtual model. The technology training sessions, offered prior to the first vRRMC visit, was described as important for satisfaction. Analysis of preference for future visits revealed more nuance; some preferred in-person visits and planned to travel for future appointments post-pandemic, while others preferred to maintain the virtual model due to perceived travel burden (cost, time, and inconvenience). Conclusions: When clinically appropriate, virtual diagnostic memory clinics should persist as an option post pandemic for families who experience high travel burden.
ISSN:0317-1671
2057-0155
DOI:10.1017/cjn.2023.110