A review of three years experience using email and videoconferencing for the delivery of post-acute burns care to children in Queensland.
A virtual outpatient service has been established in Queensland for the delivery of post-acute burns care to children living in rural and remote areas of the state. The integration of telepaediatrics as a routine service has reduced the need for patient travel to the specialist burns unit situated in Brisbane. We have conducted 293 patient consultations over a period of 3 years. A retrospective review of our experience has shown that post-acute burns care can be delivered using videoconferencing, email and the telephone. Telepaediatric burns services have been valuable in two key areas. The first area involves a programme of routine specialist clinics via videoconference. The second area relates to ad-hoc patient consultations for collaborative management during acute presentations and at times of urgent clinical need. The families of patients have expressed a high degree of satisfaction with the service. Telepaediatric services have helped improve access to specialist services for people living in rural and remote communities throughout Queensland.
Smith
Anthony C
AC
Centre for Online Health, University of Queensland, Level 3 Foundation Building, Royal Children's Hospital, Herston 4029, Qld, Australia. a.smith@pobox.com
Youngberry
Karen
K
Mill
Julie
J
Kimble
Roy
R
Wootton
Richard
R
D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002056:Burns / Q000628:therapy*; D002648:Child; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration; D034742:Electronic Mail; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011793:Queensland; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000600:supply & distribution*