Thread by @WNGtweets

How did US #neurologists experience the initial response to #COVID19? Find out in our survey now published online in @GreenJournal! @AkankshaMD @jillfarmmovedoc @DianaGCMD @LaFaverMD @kimaneurologist
pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32439820/ @AANMember

The survey was distributed via social media in March 2020 and received 561 responses from US #neurologists in practice. While 87% were provided #PPE by their institutions, 45% were asked to reuse PPE more than once.

Practices to limit #COVID19 exposure and advice on #selfquarantine varied widely. 43% of #neurologists with known exposure were advised to continue seeing patients unless/until symptomatic, and only 12% were offered immediate testing.

The pandemic caused rapid changes towards providing care by #teleneurology. A majority (68%) were able to implement teleneurology on a large scale in the outpatient setting, although a third experienced challenges in transitioning to this model.

Neurologists in US states deemed to be #COVID19 hotspots (more than 1000 cases per capita) at the time of the survey were more likely to be asked to reuse #PPE and to do more inpatient work. Notably, 56% of respondents indicated not feeling safe in taking care of patients.

In light of significant variability in preparedness and
responsiveness to the #COVID19 pandemic reported by US #neurologists, practice guidelines from professional societies and other national entities are needed to improve protection for physicians and patients. @AANMember

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