Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare (Dec 2021)
The Influence of Telemedicine and Compassionate Care on the Quality of Life and Mental Health of Patients with Epilepsy in Northeastern China During the COVID-19 Crisis
Abstract
Deshuang Tao,1,2,* Tangwu Zhong,2,* Juli Wang1 1Epilepsy Department of Jiamusi Central Hospital, Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province, 154002, People’s Republic of China; 2Jiamusi University, Jiamusi City, Heilongjiang Province, 154007, People’s Republic of China*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Juli Wang Tel +86 18724540130Email [email protected]: To understand the influence of telemedicine and compassionate care on the quality of life and mental health of patients with epilepsy (PWE) in northeastern China during the COVID-19 crisis.Patients and Methods: Physicians in the epilepsy department conducted a questionnaire survey on PWE on February 2020. The Quality Of Life In Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-Item Scale (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used. The intervention (IG) group received compassionate care and follow-up through telemedicine equipment every week, while the nonintervention (NIG) group did not receive. The questionnaire survey was conducted again three month later.Results: Ninety patients were recruited: mean age 39.91± 15.57 in the IG, 37.39± 11.69 in the NIG, 46 (51.1%) were men. Twenty patients had difficulty in purchasing antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Seven patients reported seizure in the last 1 month. Only 1 patient (2.2%) consulted the emergency department. Up to 84 patients’ lives were affected. Fifteen (33.3%) of the IG and 20 (44.4%) of the NIG patients stated that their family income had decreased, and among them, 13 (28.9%) in the IG group and 10 (22.2%) in the NIG group stated that they were unemployed. 3 months later, the interaction between groups and time of QOLIE-31 was significant, F (1, 88) = 16.996, p< 0.001; the interaction between group and time on the PHQ-9 was significant, F (1, 88)= 14.992, p< 0.001; the interaction between group and time on the QAD-7 was significant, F (1, 88)= 6.026, p< 0.001.Conclusion: Our study found that during the COVID-19 outbreak, when patients were in a lockdown, telemedicine and compassionate care were effective and successful in managing PWE in northeastern China. It is a valid method to decrease anxiety and depression and improve the patients’ quality of life. Further research is necessary about compassionate care methods for PWE.Keywords: telemedicine, compassionate care, QOLIE-31, GAD-7, COVID-19, epilepsy
