JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The popularity of virtual clinics has increased in many settings, especially during and following the COVID-19 pandemic. However, their applicability in neurosurgical care remains understudied.

Objective:

This pilot study assesses the safety and reliability of a physician-led virtual clinic for evaluating neurosurgical patients, including both follow-ups and new referrals.

Methods:

In this prospective study, a cohort of neurosurgery patients, consisting of new referrals and follow-ups, was evaluated. Each patient participated in a virtual neurological assessment via Zoom and subsequently in an in-person assessment. We compared clinical findings, treatment decisions/plans, and patient satisfaction between the two settings.

Results:

Of the 35 patients enrolled, 30 completed both virtual and in-person assessments. Each patient successfully completed both assessments within the two-week protocol period, with a satisfaction rate exceeding 90%. Clinical decisions and treatment plans were consistent between both visits in 93% of cases, and clinical examination findings were consistent in 78% of cases. The virtual consult demonstrated a sensitivity of 90% and specificity of 98% when compared to the in-person consult.

Conclusions:

These findings support the use of virtual clinics as a viable tool for assessing and screening neurosurgical referrals. Virtual clinics appear to be a safe and reliable alternative to in-person visits for certain patients. A larger prospective study would further validate these findings.