The potential for telemedicine to improve coronary heart disease services.
The potential of telemedicine to improve services for patients suffering from coronary heart disease (CHD) was explored. Key issues surrounding the delivery of CHD services in London were identified, such as a shortage of skilled staff, the need for appropriate patient information and problems with waiting times, particularly for diagnostic test results. Telemedicine has the potential to improve service delivery in each of these areas. It is unlikely that some of the targets for CHD service delivery set out by the Department of Health's National Service Frameworks can be met without the use of telemedicine.
Clough
K
K
Telemedicine Alliance and the Institute of Healthcare Management Telemedicine and Telecare Programme, Abingdon, UK. krc@telemedicinealliance.co.uk
Mallinson
M
M
Jardine
I
I
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000628:therapy*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D015274:Interdepartmental Relations; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*