The use of telemedicine to treat ophthalmological emergencies in rural Australia.
A retrospective analysis was made of a cohort of patients who presented sequentially with acute ophthalmological conditions which were managed by telemedicine consultation. Twenty-four patients presented with acute problems requiring specialist ophthalmological advice to the emergency department of a remote hospital in Mt Isa, Queensland, between December 1996 and February 1997. Tele-ophthalmology consultations were carried out with three ophthalmologists working in a specialist eye clinic in Townsville, 900 km away. Patients and doctors were extremely positive about the telemedicine facility. Tele-ophthalmology was an effective means of providing acute specialist consultation in a remote emergency department. By reducing the need for acute transfers to the tertiary hospital in Townsville, significant benefits can be anticipated--both financial and in terms of convenience for the patient. Benefits for medical staff in skills acquisition and education were also evident.
Rosengren
D
D
Mt Isa Base Hospital, Queensland, Australia.
Blackwell
N
N
Kelly
G
G
Lenton
L
L
Glastonbury
J
J
D001315:Australia; D004630:Emergencies; D006801:Humans; D009885:Ophthalmology / Q000379:methods*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012424:Rural Population; D016896:Treatment Outcome