As president of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN), I hear from neurologists regularly about the challenges of delivering quality care to their patients. Over the past year, one of their most troubling concerns has been the pervasive workforce shortage that has led to a scarcity of employees who make up the neurologic care team. Medical assistants, licensed practical nurses, aides, clerical staff, and specialized technicians are just a few of the types of employees in alarmingly short supply.

Because of this, roles in our offices are changing. Doctors are pitching in to take vital signs, escort patients into examining rooms, schedule appointments, and even answer calls. These tasks take more of our time, and with existing staff working to capacity, it may be harder for patients to get appointments or schedule neurologic tests like MRI scans, nerve conduction studies, or electroencephalograms.

Lack of other resources is also contributing to slowdowns. In our feature “9 Tips for Getting the Neurologic Care You Need Despite Staffing Shortages,” we explain how supply chain shortages are creating a backlog of procedures and tests and provide suggestions for how to deal with these delays. Meanwhile, widespread efforts are underway to train new health team members and find technological alternatives that bypass the need for phone interactions, such as online scheduling platforms that patients can use. For those who haven't signed up for their patient portals, now may be a good time. They allow for better communication with both staff and clinicians.

Adopting new technologies means we must also learn how to protect the privacy of our health data. Experts tell us when to be cautious, and how to avoid misuse of our personal health information, in our feature “How to Protect Your Genetic and Health Data Privacy Online.” I have used a fitness app for the past several years and love how it keeps me accountable for daily exercise, but I'm careful to provide only basic information.

On a recent AAN trip to Vienna to meet with leaders of the World Federation of Neurology, I found my GPS app indispensable. It made me wonder how I ever got around without one and whether my own visuospatial functions have been diminishing since I stopped using paper maps. It turns out that those abilities may be quite valuable. In our Healthy Living department, you will read a fascinating story about London cabdrivers whose brains are being studied because of their superior navigation and memorization skills. They may hold clues about Alzheimer's disease and even direct researchers to strategies for staying cognitively active. Also in Healthy Living, you'll find a preview of Navigating Life with Dementia, the latest offering in the AAN's Brain & Life^® Books series, which gives many recommendations for people with dementia and their caregivers.

One of my favorite stories in this issue, “Ways to Make Eating Healthy and Easy When You Live Alone,” is about eating alone. About 36 million adults live alone in the United States, and in several large cities, including Atlanta, Cleveland, New Orleans, and St. Louis, one-person households account for nearly half of all dwellings. I often worry that some of my single patients are neglecting their nutrition, a concern that has been magnified during the pandemic. If you are living alone or know someone who is, we hope you find this story helpful.

We always appreciate your letters. They tell us when we've hit the mark and when we need to focus on an overlooked topic. Our story on progressive supranuclear palsy came about in response to letters from our readers requesting that we cover it. Our Speak Up essay is by Barbara Puszcz, a reader who describes how gardening helps her manage the symptoms of her multiple sclerosis. We profile Daniel King, who shares his experience with migraine, and include lessons from Anna Bonkhoff, MD, a stroke neurologist, who had a stroke when she was only 25.

Whether you are adapting to a new diagnosis, exploring the streets of a city, or trying to schedule a visit to your neurologist's office, we wish you a safe and rewarding journey.

Orly Avitzur, MD, MBA, FAAN, Editor-in-Chief