What Are the Benefits of Lyme Disease Telemedicine?

Telemedicine has expanded access to Lyme care.
Virtual visits may reduce travel and improve follow-up.
Patients with chronic symptoms may benefit from remote monitoring.

PERSPECTIVE

A growing number of medical specialties have shifted toward telemedicine.

“The global pandemic of COVID-19 has dramatically altered the delivery of rheumatology outpatient services because of the redeployment of staff and efforts to minimize infection risk to patients and clinicians in line with physical distancing guidance,” write Yeoh and colleagues.

“Departments have converted most face-to-face appointments to telephone clinics or, less frequently, to video clinics.”¹

So what are the benefits of Lyme disease telemedicine?

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Benefits of Telemedicine

The CDC describes several potential benefits of telemedicine:

• Allows patients to talk with physicians by phone or video
• Supports secure messaging and follow-up communication
• Allows remote monitoring of symptoms
• Reduces travel time and transportation costs
• May shorten wait times for appointments
• Can reduce the number of in-person clinic visits

Telemedicine may be especially valuable for patients who live far from Lyme disease specialists or experienced tick-borne disease clinicians, or who struggle with mobility, fatigue, dizziness, or chronic pain.

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Evidence Supporting Telemedicine

Evidence-based guidelines supporting telemedicine continue to emerge.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) COVID-19 rapid guidelines for rheumatology suggested that face-to-face consultations may only be necessary for patients experiencing disease flare-ups.

Many clinicians have continued integrating virtual care into follow-up management strategies even after the height of the pandemic.

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Lyme Disease Conditions Managed Through Telemedicine

Telemedicine may help physicians monitor and manage a wide range of Lyme disease manifestations and associated conditions.

• Lyme encephalopathy
• Lyme neuropathy
• Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS)
• Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS)
• Neuropsychiatric Lyme disease

Virtual appointments may also improve continuity of care for patients requiring frequent follow-up visits or ongoing symptom monitoring.

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Limitations of Telemedicine

Telemedicine also has limitations.

• Physical examinations may be limited remotely
• Neurologic testing may require in-person evaluation
• Joint swelling and certain physical findings can be difficult to assess virtually
• Laboratory studies and imaging still require local access

Some patients ultimately require a combination of virtual and in-person medical care.

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Clinical Perspective

Telemedicine is not a substitute for every aspect of Lyme disease evaluation and treatment.

However, it may improve access to experienced clinicians, reduce travel burdens, and support ongoing management for patients with complex or chronic symptoms.

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FAQ: Lyme Disease Telemedicine

Can Lyme disease be managed through telemedicine?

Some aspects of Lyme disease evaluation and follow-up can be managed virtually, particularly symptom review, treatment monitoring, and discussion of laboratory results.

Can telemedicine help after a tick bite?

Yes. Telemedicine may help patients discuss tick exposure, rash development, and whether further medical evaluation is necessary.

Do Lyme disease patients still need in-person visits?

Often yes. Some patients require physical examinations, imaging, neurologic testing, or procedures that cannot be performed virtually.

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Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.

Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention