Store-and-forward teleneurology in developing countries.
We assessed the feasibility of a store-and-forward email teleneurology service between a UK neurologist and a rehabilitation hospital in Bangladesh. Over 12 months, email advice was requested for 12 patients (mean age 43 years, range 15-57 years). Each patient generated an average of 5.2 email messages. Eight cases were considered complicated by the neurologist, who would have preferred a video-link consultation for these. The referring doctor found the neurologist's advice beneficial in 75% of the complex cases and in all of the more straightforward cases. Patient care was changed in 50% of the cases as a result of the specialist advice and one patient transfer out of the country was avoided. Store-and-forward teleneurology is effective for delivering expert neurological advice.
Patterson
V
V
Department of Neurology, Royal Victoria Hospital, Belfast, UK. vp498@utvinternet.com
Hoque
F
F
Vassallo
D
D
Farquharson Roberts
M
M
Swinfen
P
P
Swinfen
R
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003195:Computer Communication Networks; D003906:Developing Countries; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D009422:Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed