Novel Outreach Program and Practical Strategies for Patients with Parkinsonism in the COVID-19 Pandemic¹

INTRODUCTION

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic surpassed ten million cases globally [1], changing typical life and medical care for patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD) and related movement disorders [2, 3]. There are neurologic manifestations of COVID-19 [4, 5] and an evolving understanding of COVID-19 risks associated with PD and subsequent outcomes [6, 7]. PD has been associated with higher risks of complications and hospitalization for respiratory illness [8], and higher rates of medical comorbidities [9, 10]. Early in the pandemic, these factors, care disruptions, and potential virus-associated risks raised significant concern about vulnerable patients within our movement disorders practice, inspiring a proactive COVID-19 outreach program. Our longitudinal work with homebound individuals with advanced PD and parkinsonism [11–13], an already socially-isolated group, informed the program, strategies, and resources recommended.

COVID-19 OUTREACH PROGRAM

Pre-COVID-19, several authors (SH, DM, ECK, EM, JF) were following two research cohorts of homebound, advanced PD and atypical parkinsonism patient-caregiver dyads via interdisciplinary home visits. Additionally, we had established an interdisciplinary neuropalliative clinic for individuals with advanced parkinsonism. In March 2020, we designed the Rush University Parkinson’s Disease and Movement Disorders COVID-19 Outreach Program, and received philanthropic support in late April. The program entails a nurse and licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) proactively calling vulnerable, high-risk patients to conduct a targeted needs assessment and provide tailored resources and referrals. LCSWs specialize in treating and preventing mental illness and helping people obtain tangible services. Outreach patients, drawn from the cohorts above, included those who were: homebound per Medicare criteria [14], Hoehn & Yahr Stage 4–5, receiving or candidates for palliative or hospice care, or with pre-existing high caregiver strain or social isolation according to healthcare professionals’ judgment. On average, 27.6 patients meeting these criteria were seen by this team monthly in the six months pre-COVID-19 (mean of 12 home visits, 15.6 outpatient visits). Outreach efforts were intended to supplement, not replace, care during the pandemic, and were offered in addition to scheduled, quarterly research home visits and neurologic visits, all transitioned to virtual format. Calls were prioritized for individuals who were not seen recently or scheduled for an upcoming appointment. As this was an urgent clinical and educational response to the pandemic, we present program metrics without individual patient-level data.

Team members used a note template in the electronic medical record with talking points that were formulated to keep patients informed and prepared for pandemic effects on daily life (Fig. 1). Beyond ensuring access to housing, food, and medications, wellbeing is assessed. Because the population is at high risk for psychological issues and isolation [15–17], the team asks about depression, anxiety, and loneliness. If patients lack emotional support, they are referred to no-cost, brief counseling and resource provision from a neuropsychologist. If additional psychological support is required, the LCSW provides a tailored list of covered providers.

Fig. 1.

Talking points developed for COVID-19 outreach program involving telephone calls to vulnerable patients.

Because parkinsonian patients have higher rates of in-hospital complications [18–20], strategies and safety tips to prevent unnecessary hospitalization are covered. The team addresses advance care planning and provides anticipatory guidance for hospitalization during COVID-19, including a Parkinson’s Foundation letter that functions as a surrogate advocate regarding PD medications and contraindications. Additionally, the team provides health literacy-friendly [21] resources to help families navigate difficult conversations (Fig. 2).

Fig. 2.

Collected resources to support patients at home during social isolation due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Team members discuss lifting of lockdown restrictions and navigation of healthcare appointments, therapy sessions, essential vs. non-essential needs, and social gatherings. Despite re-openings, all benefit from reminders that infection risk continues during this first wave, a second wave may occur, and that high-risk individuals should avoid unnecessary exposures. This includes consistent use of face masks, maintaining social distancing, and rescheduling in-person appointments to telehealth, if appropriate.

In the first two months of the program, 58 calls were attempted, with 45 reaching the patient and/or caregiver. For the 13 unanswered calls, at least two attempts were made. In total, team members spent a mean of 37.0 minutes per completed call. The team identified previously-unaddressed psychosocial stressors, and assisted families with the following: obtaining a primary care physician; hospice service referrals; arranging follow-up care after hospitalization for COVID-19; mental health resources; and medication management. Frequent questions included mask-wearing guidelines, hospital visitor restrictions, safe interactions with non-cohabitating family, and social distancing as lockdowns decline. To date, 93.3% of caregivers requested and received the “Hospitalization During COVID-19” letter. Two individuals (4.4%) requested and received neuropsychological counseling, and four individuals (8.8%) engaged in discussions of advance directives or code status.

All patients and caregivers voiced appreciation for the proactive approach, particularly those lacking an extended family network. Many noted that these calls made them feel “more safe and supported”. Families conveyed positive feedback to our center’s other neurologists and staff, who have subsequently adopted these efforts. We conservatively estimate that program components have been disseminated to 15–20% of the 4400 patients annually seen in the outpatient clinics.

Many organizations have offered COVID-19-related educational outreach and support programs. This program is unique because our established relationships and insight into patients’ medical and social conditions afford the ability to tailor recommendations, adjust medications, order durable medical equipment, and facilitate continuity of care with other professionals. Identifying vulnerable individuals pre-COVID-19 allowed us to efficiently reach those most likely to benefit from proactive outreach, preventive strategies, and anticipatory guidance, and simultaneously narrowed the program’s scope, enabling completion.

ADDITIONAL PRACTICAL STRATEGIES FOR SOCIAL ISOLATION AND TELEHEALTH

Outreach calls and routine care during COVID-19 have revealed novel challenges and opportunities, including promoting wellbeing during social isolation and transitioning to telehealth. Providers are primed to promote wellbeing during social distancing. As the world transitions to the second phase of the pandemic and lockdown restrictions gradually lift, balancing autonomy with public health is a challenge. Most patients desire greater shared decision-making [22], thus supportive options may yield better adherence than strict directives. We have compiled easily-accessible resources to support physical activity, mental engagement, and emotional wellbeing (Fig. 2) [23, 24].

Allied health services have been disrupted internationally [25]. COVID-19 has resulted in rapid transitions to telehealth for both physicians and allied health professionals, amplifying a pre-pandemic, recognized need for tele-rehabilitation [26]. Prior work has demonstrated the feasibility and benefits of various tele-rehabilitation models for PD, including supervised exercise via video-conference, virtual-reality based therapy, fall prevention therapy via telemedicine, and video-based group classes [27–29], as well as interventions specific to other neurologic conditions [30–32]. While the COVID-19 rehabilitation literature is evolving [33, 34], we are unaware of any published descriptions of tele-rehabilitation for parkinsonian patients during the pandemic. The availability of virtual rehabilitation may vary and neurologists should assess local availability of such services, using the informal online programs in Fig. 2 to bridge gaps in the interim.

Depression, anxiety, and apathy are critical non-motor symptoms of PD and parkinsonism [8, 10], which may be especially important as pandemic-related psychological impact has been reported [35]. Supporting cognitive engagement and emotional wellbeing is helpful, and participation in group activities mitigates stressors, thus we list at-home/virtual opportunities and online support groups [36, 37]. Neurologists can also preemptively offer stress and crisis support service resources (Fig. 2).

The pandemic-driven rise in the use and scale of telehealth warrants consideration of challenges particular to this patient population [38, 39]. Practical telehealth tips include reminders to charge devices, silence notifications, gather questions and medication lists, and utilize necessary hearing aids or voice amplifiers. If home equipment is available, vital signs and weight can be measured pre-visit. The patient should sit before the camera with a simple background, with space to move, and near a router. We recommend clarifying that calls from the healthcare team may come from a blocked or 800 number. By emphasizing an after-visit summary will be available via the telehealth platform or mail, we alleviate caregivers’ scramble to adjust devices, ask questions, and transcribe recommendations.

For older parkinsonian patients with sensory impairments, dementia, paranoia, hallucinations, and/or delusions, telehealth can be challenging. We recommend healthcare professionals: reintroduce themselves, even to longstanding patients; normalize concerns or paranoia about technology; facilitate some one-on-one patient interaction in which caregivers step away briefly, and vice versa, when possible. Some patients suffering from exacerbated hallucinations, delusions, or elder abuse during this crisis may not disclose this otherwise. Importantly, the telehealth-mediated gait assessment presents an opportunity for a quick home safety assessment: the patient can walk through their home, followed by a caregiver bearing the camera, allowing for observation of fall hazards and provision of safety recommendations.

CONCLUSION

The COVID-19 pandemic introduced a new reality, presenting opportunities and challenges. Screening and support during this unprecedented time can be proactively offered, as described in this outreach program. Based on feedback from patients and families, and uptake of components among other clinicians, we contend that a proactive outreach program may be valuable, timely, and adaptable to other centers. Online resources can support wellbeing and telehealth strategies for this group may be useful as we encourage our most vulnerable patients to continue social distancing. Amid a barrage of mixed messages and decontextualized data, let us not underestimate the value of clear, personalized, actionable recommendations from trusted clinicians.

CONFLICT OF INTEREST

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.