Telehealth has emerged as a valuable tool in assessing and managing tardive dyskinesia (TD), a movement disorder associated with prolonged use of dopamine receptor-blocking agents. Insights from a panel of TD experts highlighted that telehealth offers benefits such as reduced no-show rates, easier caregiver involvement, and greater accessibility for patients, especially those in rural areas. However, challenges like segmented body views, poor video quality, and limited ability to conduct comprehensive neurological exams complicate virtual TD assessments. To address these limitations, the panel recommended combining telehealth with periodic in-person visits and using video-enabled communication for all virtual sessions, as audio-only visits are insufficient for assessing TD.

Best practices identified by the panel include providing pre-appointment guidance to ensure proper technology setup, engaging family members to gather additional information, and educating healthcare providers about TD diagnosis and management. While telehealth can complement traditional care, periodic in-person evaluations remain essential, aligning with guidelines recommending structured assessments every six months. Further studies are needed to enhance virtual assessments and improve outcomes for patients with TD.

Reference: El-Mallakh RS, Belnap A, Iyer S, et al. Telehealth for Assessing and Managing Tardive Dyskinesia: Expert Insights from a Cross-Disciplinary Virtual Treatment Panel. Telemed J E Health. 2023;29(7):1096-1104. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2022.0234.