Telemedicine Utilization Among Patients With Multiple Sclerosis in the US Veterans Health Administration, 2010-2020

The objective of this study is to assess the frequency and longitudinal patterns of telemedicine utilization among PwMS and controls. Methods We conducted a population-based nested case-control study within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2020. MS cases and controls were individually matched on sex, age, and Veterans Affair (VA) service region (Veterans Integrated Service Network). MS case and control participants sample sizes by year included 2010: 19,387/86,379; 2016: 19,752/88,535; and 2020: 16,451/78,315. Telemedicine encounter codes were used to identify telemedicine utilization among MS cases and controls in the VHA for 2010, 2016, and 2020. Telemedicine encounters were categorized according to mode (video, phone, and supplementary remote) and type of care provided. Results Patients in the VHA have had increasing utilization of telemedicine over the past decade. Among PwMS, mean telemedicine encounters increased steadily from 2010 to 2020 (5.6–10.5 encounters/patient, respectively). Across all years, MS cases were significantly more likely than controls to use telemedicine. The odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval [CI]) of any telemedicine utilization comparing MS cases with controls in 2010, 2016, and 2020, respectively, were 1.5 (CI: 1.3–1.5), 1.9 (CI: 1.8–2.0), and 1.7 (CI: 1.6–1.8). Compared with non-Hispanic White veterans, non-Hispanic Black veterans were more likely to use telemedicine...
Source: Neurology Clinical Practice - Category: Neurology Authors: Tags: Research Article Source Type: research