REMOTE COGNITIVE STIMULATION THERAPY: CONTINUITY IN THE CONTEXT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN BUENOS AIRES, ARGENTINA.

Abstract

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, clinical practice of neuropsychology has been substantially modified keeping the remote attention since then. In this work our experience in remote cognitive stimulation (RCS) for the past fifteen months and the user satisfaction during the second year of the pandemic is described. Surveys were conducted using Google Forms sent via email to patients, relatives or caregivers of patients who agreed to the RCS practice. The degree of difficulty to handle virtual platforms, and the level of satisfaction with the RCS practice were assessed through subjective report of the respondents. The survey was completed by 121 individuals (67.8% patients and 32.2% relatives). The mean age of the patients who accessed RCS was 75.3, 66.9% were women, 2.6% had incomplete primary school, 34.2% had completed primary school, 42.6% had completed secondary school, 20.6% had completed university and higher degrees. Regarding the ease of accessing the platform, 56.2.3% referred that it was easy for them. About the degree of satisfaction with the RCS, 65.3% conveyed being very pleased, and 33.1% pleased. 96.7% of those surveyed held that the practice was in accordance with their expectations and 94.2% stated that they would carry out RCS again in the future. Regarding the advantages identified, 52.1.6% recognized as an advantage avoiding the transfer, and 42.1.9% referred a greater use of time. During the second year of the pandemic we have observed that the satisfaction level regarding remote practice held the same. Patients stood out as principal benefits of it avoiding traveling and the better use of time preferring to continue with this modality. This data allows us to take a glimpse at the benefits of this modality to continue using it in the future regardless of the epidemiological situation.