Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment
Abstract Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are visually debilitating conditions that affect families worldwide. They require extensive clinical testing, examination, and patient and family counseling, which are frequently accomplished over single-day extended clinic visits. However, the COVID-19 pan...
| Main Authors: | , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-03-01
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| Series: | International Journal of Retina and Vitreous |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-021-00301-z |
| _version_ | 1818439073019199488 |
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| author | Ahmad Al-Moujahed Aarushi Kumar Teja Chemudupati Stephen H. Tsang Vinit B. Mahajan |
| author_facet | Ahmad Al-Moujahed Aarushi Kumar Teja Chemudupati Stephen H. Tsang Vinit B. Mahajan |
| author_sort | Ahmad Al-Moujahed |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are visually debilitating conditions that affect families worldwide. They require extensive clinical testing, examination, and patient and family counseling, which are frequently accomplished over single-day extended clinic visits. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of patients and staff allowed in clinics, leading to interruptions in care. We therefore developed telehealth management protocols for complete or hybrid virtual visits. The three main components of our telegenetics approach included reviewing the diagnostic tests results remotely, in-person or virtual video visits with a retina specialist, and virtual genetic testing using saliva kits. During the first 5 months of the program, telegenetic care was provided for 80 patients, including 3 international patients, and a spectrum of retinal dystrophies were diagnosed and managed. In conclusion, telegenetic virtual visits ensure continuity of care while reducing patient and provider exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and may continue and expand into other medical genetic conditions long after the pandemic. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T17:50:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-b1b5889aa2fd4f4db0bebe1e6780f593 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2056-9920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T17:50:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | International Journal of Retina and Vitreous |
| spelling | doaj.art-b1b5889aa2fd4f4db0bebe1e6780f5932022-12-21T22:52:39ZengBMCInternational Journal of Retina and Vitreous2056-99202021-03-01711310.1186/s40942-021-00301-zTelegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environmentAhmad Al-Moujahed0Aarushi Kumar1Teja Chemudupati2Stephen H. Tsang3Vinit B. Mahajan4Molecular Surgery Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford UniversityMolecular Surgery Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford UniversityMolecular Surgery Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford UniversityDepartment of Ophthalmology, Columbia UniversityMolecular Surgery Laboratory, Department of Ophthalmology, Byers Eye Institute, Stanford UniversityAbstract Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) are visually debilitating conditions that affect families worldwide. They require extensive clinical testing, examination, and patient and family counseling, which are frequently accomplished over single-day extended clinic visits. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has limited the number of patients and staff allowed in clinics, leading to interruptions in care. We therefore developed telehealth management protocols for complete or hybrid virtual visits. The three main components of our telegenetics approach included reviewing the diagnostic tests results remotely, in-person or virtual video visits with a retina specialist, and virtual genetic testing using saliva kits. During the first 5 months of the program, telegenetic care was provided for 80 patients, including 3 international patients, and a spectrum of retinal dystrophies were diagnosed and managed. In conclusion, telegenetic virtual visits ensure continuity of care while reducing patient and provider exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and may continue and expand into other medical genetic conditions long after the pandemic.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-021-00301-zTelegeneticsCOVID-19RetinaInherited retinal diseasesIRDsTelemedicine |
| spellingShingle | Ahmad Al-Moujahed Aarushi Kumar Teja Chemudupati Stephen H. Tsang Vinit B. Mahajan Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment International Journal of Retina and Vitreous Telegenetics COVID-19 Retina Inherited retinal diseases IRDs Telemedicine |
| title | Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment |
| title_full | Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment |
| title_fullStr | Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment |
| title_full_unstemmed | Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment |
| title_short | Telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the COVID-19 environment |
| title_sort | telegenetics for inherited retinal diseases in the covid 19 environment |
| topic | Telegenetics COVID-19 Retina Inherited retinal diseases IRDs Telemedicine |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40942-021-00301-z |
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