TELENP IN RESPONSE TO COVID

TELENP IN RESPONSE TO COVID

Introduction

The paper provides a guideline on teleneuropsychology, which was introduced at a conference called Inter Organizational Practice Committee to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. These guidelines and recommendations were meant to assist the personnel involved in developing neuropsychological service while practicing physical distance to protect themselves against COVID-19 infections. A group of specialists drawn from the big organizations came up with neuropsychological guidelines to be followed during the COVID-19 era.  The experts reviewed zonal policies, the information provided by various domain specialists, and collated federals, which helped them identify and design best practices. These practices are provided on their website, and they are continuously updated whenever training, research, or reimbursement is done and new techniques are discovered. The research paper’s main contribution is that it has provided guidelines that neuropsychologists can follow when delivering services without exposing themselves to the coronavirus. The guidelines can be accessed through the IOPC website.

Literature Review.

A review of (De & Shenal, 2019) shows that an increase in the availability of special care among people from remote areas is the success of using Telehealth neuropsychological infrastructure. This benefit has been attributed to the reason why several Telehealth facilities for neuropsychological are being established. People located in the rural parts of the country and were referred to as outpatient neuropsychologists could receive their treatment via telehealth by a clinician platform or in person.  The assessment was done on the service provided via telehealth and in person, and it was found that all the conditions were accepted and of high quality.

Methodology

Data collection by the group of experts gathered from various major organizations by reviewing literature collated federals, zonal and state policies. The specialist convened a workshop and reviewed related papers in this job line so that they may get insights on how to solve the problem at hand. Regional and state policies were also considered to ensure that the guidelines do not contravene the state or inter-state policies provided. Information from insurers was also vital in the development of the guidelines. A survey on practitioners was done by the professions to ensure that the best practices are identified.

A group of professionals from major organizations convened a workshop to discuss and develop guidelines for performing neuropsychological practices in this era of COVID-19 pandemic that will guarantee good practices and protect the parties involved from exposure. The team was drawn from major professional organizations in America, including the National Academy for Neuropsychology and the American Psychology Association Services. This was to provide recommendations and guidelines that could enhance physical distance in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic. The recommendations should provide best practices and must not contravene the existing typical standards. The guidelines are expected to be flexible and safe and could be followed if it goes against any federal law other laws regulating the provision and assessment of psychological services.

The paper stipulates that TeleNP can provide dependable and justifiable assessments; however, the clinicians must look into the limitations then design a new set of improved features improved procedures. Standard procedure modification should also be reported, plus its recommendations and conclusions. Various categories of people have specified limitations; for instance, the adult has different TeleNP limitations likewise to the children. Clinicians should verify procedures themselves when in the process of billing TeleNP services.

Telehealth platforms have facial expressions, rich body language data, and tone of voice muted over them for the patients’ typical feedback communication link. All the patients should receive feedback; however, it is difficult due to the telehealth’s rich body language data feature. TeleNP coverage during this COVID -19 has vigorously been advocated for by the IOPC in collaboration with other private and public insurers. Whether the patient covers TeleNP is the responsibility of the clinician to determine.

The COVID-19 crisis has resulted in an unexpected disruption of the usual physical contact between clinicians and patients. The recommendations are an extension of evidence which have been in existence; it means that it is hoped to be clarified in part but not the all clinical scenarios brought about by the contemporary pandemic. It is believed that the provision of these regulations can act as a model for upcoming improved TeleNP regulations for us. Given the fast changes of effects associated with the coronavirus crisis and the community’s vital role in mitigating the arising issues, it is expected that the company will improve the recommendation with time. This improvement is made to suit the evolving changes coming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Discussion, Analysis, and Conclusions and future work

According to the author, TeleNP has got some limitations despite having made neuropsychological services very convenient. One of the drawbacks of this technology is that it poses privacy and security risks to the user. As a result of sharing patients via electronic media, patients’ confidential data may be disclosed to unauthorized individuals. Another limitation, as per the author, is that TeleNP regulation or guidelines may be rejected due to going against legal and administrative policies. The guidelines are expected not to compromise both the state and the regional laws.

According to the author, some of the missing points in TeleNP are that reports in this technology should include a clear statement about the drawbacks caused by non-standard administration and the effect it may have on the conclusions and probably the final recommendations. When this is not made clear, the same documentation having the conclusions and the recommendations may extend to the patients’ or the interpreter tasked to make some interpretation of the report. Another missing point, according to the author, is that the research paper failed to address users’ computer literacy levels and internet connectivity issues. It should not be assumed that every person is computer literate. The old generation has less knowledge about computers, and therefore with the implementation of TeleNP, they will be disadvantaged. Despite the company addressing itself to issues about people having disabilities, according to the author, it failed to address the Internet’s issues. The Internet is a vital component in the TeleNP setting, and therefore the author saw it necessary to be addressed.

Similarly, I also feel that the paper has not addressed a secure connection to prevent the breaching of data information. With the increasing number of cheap and easily accessible gadgets, the Internet has attracted many people, which means that cybercriminals are also increasing. For privacy and security of users’ confidential data, a secure connection with SSL certification should be implemented.

References.

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Bilder, R. M., Postal, K. S., Barisa, M., Aase, D. M., Cullum, C. M., Gillaspy, S. R., … & Morgan, J. M. (2020). inter-organizational practice committee recommendations/guidance for teleneuropsychology (TeleNP) in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Clinical Neuropsychologist, 1-21.

Brearly, T. W., Shura, R. D., Martindale, S. L., Lazowski, R. A., Luxton, D. D., Shenal, B. V., & Rowland, J. A. (2017). Neuropsychological test administration by videoconference: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Neuropsychology Review, 27(2), 174-186.

DeYoung, N., & Shenal, B. V. (2019). The reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment using telehealth in a rural setting with veterans. Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 25(4), 197-203.

DeYoung, N., & Shenal, B. V. (2019). The reliability of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment using telehealth in a rural setting with veterans. Journal of telemedicine and telecare, 25(4), 197-203.

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