e-Health and telemedicine implementation in facial paralysis: challenges and pitfalls

Elijah E Sanches; Frank W de Jongh; Koen J A O Ingels; Sjaak Pouwels

doi:10.1007/s00238-021-01802-8

e-Health and telemedicine implementation in facial paralysis: challenges and pitfalls

Eur J Plast Surg. 2021;44(4):429-434. doi: 10.1007/s00238-021-01802-8. Epub 2021 Feb 13.

Authors

Elijah E Sanches¹, Frank W de Jongh^{1

2}, Koen J A O Ingels³, Sjaak Pouwels⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Plastic-, Reconstructive and Hand- Surgery, Haaglanden Medical Center, The Hague, The Netherlands.
² Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Haga Hospital, The Hague, The Netherlands.
³ Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Intensive Care Medicine, Elisabeth-Tweesteden Hospital, P.O. Box 9051, 5000 LC Tilburg, The Netherlands.

Abstract

During the current Covid-19 pandemic, a lot of changes had to be made in the care of patients with facial nerve paralysis (FNP). FNP is a life-changing condition with effects on both physical (both esthetic and functional) and psychological aspects of the patient's life. Telemedicine could be a suitable alternative in the therapy for these patients, since it is often not possible to travel to outpatient clinics or to have normal face-to-face appointments with treating physicians because of pandemic restrictions. This review provides an overview of the current literature in the treatment of FNP during the pandemic and the role of telemedicine/e-Health. Secondly, we will discuss the challenges and pitfalls of implementing e-Health and telemedicine applications in clinical practice. Level of evidence: Not ratable.

Keywords: Digital; Facial paralysis; Facial plastic surgery; Mobile application; Mobile health; Telemedicine; e-Health.

Publication types

Review