Epilepsy care and COVID-19: A cross-sectional online survey from Lithuania

Background: Changes in epilepsy care during the COVID-19 pandemic required to reassess the patient-specialist interaction in the context of telehealth and future vaccination campaigns. Aims of the study: The aims were to outline changes in neurologists' experience when providing care for patients with epilepsy (PWE) and to investigate how neurologists perceive telehealth and vaccination. Methods: We conducted an anonymous cross-sectional online survey among members of the Lithuanian Association of Neurology. Results: We received 104 completed forms by adult (74, 71.15%) and pediatric neurologists (30, 28.85%). A decrease in epilepsy consultations was noted by 76 (73.1%) specialists, and up to 26 (25.0%) could not provide diagnostic tests at a usual rate. Most respondents (99, 95.2%) would recommend the COVID-19 vaccine for patients at risk. Telehealth was valued as a useful tool in epilepsy care, especially if combined with timely diagnostic and treatment options (Kruskal-Wallis chi-square = 10.392, p = .034 and F[4,99] = 3.125, p = .018, respectively). According to 85 (81.7%) respondents, video calls could substitute in-person visits in at least half of all consultations. Conclusions: Despite disrupted epilepsy care, neurologists may benefit from telehealth when providing services for PWE and become vaccination advocates to mitigate the spread of preventable infections.