The Pine Ridge-Mayo National Aeronautics and Space Administration telemedicine project: program activities and participant reactions.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the response of participants to the Pine Ridge-Mayo National Aeronautics and Space Administration telemedicine project.


METHODS
We describe a 3-month demonstration project of medical education and clinical consultations conducted by means of satellite transmission. Postparticipation questionnaires and a postproject survey were used to assess the success of the activity.


METHODS
Patients and employees at the Pine Ridge Indian Health Service Hospital in southwestern South Dakota and employees at Mayo Clinic Rochester participated in a telemedicine project, after which they completed exit surveys and a postproject questionnaire to ascertain the acceptability of this mode of health care.


RESULTS
Almost all Pine Ridge and Mayo Clinic participants viewed the project as beneficial. The educational sessions received favorable evaluations, and almost two-thirds of the patients who completed evaluations thought the consultation had contributed to their medical care. More than 90% of the respondents from Pine Ridge and more than 85% of the respondents from Mayo Clinic Rochester said that they would recommend participation in this project to others. More than 90% of respondents from Pine Ridge and 80% of Mayo respondents agreed with the statement that the project should continue.


CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that a program of clinical consultation services, professional education, and patient education available by telemedicine might be viewed as beneficial.
Kottke
T E
TE
Division of Cardiovascular Diseases and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic Rochester, MN 55905 USA.
Little Finger
L
L
Trapp
M A
MA
Panser
L A
LA
Novotny
P J
PJ
D000328:Adult; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013023:South Dakota; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine; D014481:United States; D016549:United States Indian Health Service; D018557:United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration