Telemedicine ophthalmology consultation in remote Queensland.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the use of remote telemedicine ophthalmology in patients presenting to an emergency department with acute eye problems.


METHODS
A prospective review from 1 December 1996 to 28 February 1997 of referral patterns and telemedicine consultations, comparing referral patterns with the same period one year before.


METHODS
24 patients presenting to the emergency department of a remote base hospital in Queensland with an acute ophthalmological problem requiring a specialist opinion.


METHODS
Clinical outcomes; use of the Patient Transit Scheme for isolated patients; acceptability to patients and doctors; and ophthalmologists' opinions of the system.


RESULTS
No adverse outcomes were identified. Patients transferred for urgent assessment fell from 17 for the corresponding period in the previous year to four during the study period, while respective numbers of patients requiring non-urgent transfers (for surgery or postoperative review) during the same periods were 41 and 30. Both patients and staff (including the ophthalmologists) found the telemedicine facility very acceptable.


CONCLUSIONS
Ophthalmology is well suited to telemedicine for the diagnosis and management of acute conditions and postoperative assessment of patients in remote areas. It offers considerable potential benefits to patients, and enhances the skills of local practitioners.
Blackwell
N A
NA
Mt Isa Base Hospital, QLD.
Kelly
G J
GJ
Lenton
L M
LM
D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005128:Eye Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D008507:Medically Underserved Area; D009885:Ophthalmology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010360:Patient Transfer; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011793:Queensland; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*