Will neurological care change over the next 5 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic?

Matías-Guiu, J.; Matias-Guiu, J. A.; Alvarez-Sabin, J.; Ramon Ara, J.; Arenillas, J.; Casado-Naranjo, I.; Castellanos, M.; Jimenez-Hernandez, M. D.; Lainez-Andres, J. M.; Moral, E.; Morales, A.; Rodriguez-Antigüedad, A.; Segura, T.; Serrano-Castro, P.; Diez-Tejedor, E.

Abstract Introduction The COVID-19 pandemic will give rise to long-term changes in neurological care, which are not easily predictable. Material and methods A key informant survey was used to enquire about the changes expected in the specialty over the next 5 years. The survey was completed by heads of neurology departments with broad knowledge of the situation, having been active during the pandemic. Results Despite a low level of consensus between participants, there was strong (85%) and moderate consensus (70%) about certain subjects, mainly the increase in precautions to be taken, the use of telemedicine and teleconsultations, the reduction of care provided in in-person consultations to avoid the presence of large numbers of people in waiting rooms, the development of remote training solutions, and the changes in monitoring visits during clinical trials. There was consensus that there would be no changes to the indication of complementary testing or neurological examination. Conclusion The key informant survey identified the foreseeable changes in neurological care after the pandemic.