A pilot study of tele-oncology in Scotland.
A pilot study of tele-oncology linking a cancer centre with a rural district general hospital was carried out; it involved patients, physicians, surgeons, radiologists and nursing staff. Its purpose was to complement the existing on-site outpatient services, providing oncological advice on non-clinic days. During the six months of the trial, 18 videoconferences were conducted. Their median duration was 17 min (range 7-40). Eight videoconferences involved patients directly. Acceptability of videoconferencing to doctors, nurses and patients was assessed by a questionnaire. Patients and staff found the technique acceptable and were satisfied with the results. The addition of a teleradiology system to teleconsultations was found to be important when decisions on patient management were taken. Following the success of this pilot trial, large studies of tele-oncology in the UK with measures of cost-effectiveness are needed.
Kunkler
I H
IH
Department of Clinical Oncology, Western General Hospital, Edinburg, UK.
Rafferty
P
P
Hill
D
D
Henry
M
M
Foreman
D
D
D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006801:Humans; D016522:Oncology Service, Hospital; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012606:Scotland; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000191:economics