Trending News: Telemedicine Small, Significant Part of Health Care for COVID-19

Telemedicine technology is a small but significant part of overall health care delivery in the United States, but new research argues it ought to be a major part of how American health care organizations respond to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), according to Contagion Live. The study authors argue that many features of COVID-19 makes it relatively easy to screen patients and refer them for testing via telemedicine. Furthermore, they argue, providers can avoid risk to themselves or their colleagues by using telemedicine.

Gastroenterologists may be used more in the coming weeks as investigators in all medical fields continue to examine COVID-19, according to HCP Live. The study authors note that because COVID-19 causes gastrointestinal symptoms, there could be increased symptoms of diarrhea, pain, nausea, vomiting; however, the study authors do not have enough information to make a conclusive point about medication use. They also noted that the current advice for patients who were immunocompromised is the same as the advice for patients who are not immunosuppressed.

A special, noncontact boxing program was shown to potentially improve quality-of-life (QoL) and likelihood of exercise among patients with Parkinson disease (PD) compared with those who did not participate, according to The American Journal of Managed Care. Participants underwent a 90-minute group class with a coach on a tailored boxing routine that promoted improvements in strength, speed, agility, endurance, hand-eye coordination, footwork, and accuracy. The findings demonstrate that participants who completed the program had improvement in the nonmotor symptoms of the disease and, compared with nonparticipants, have significantly better QoL, and are more likely feel confident engaging in continued exercise.