title: Needs analysis for tele-neurophysiology in the Irish North-Western Health Board.
abstract: No clinical neurophysiology (CN) service is currently provided by the North-Western Health Board (NWHB) region in Ireland. Digital technology associated with CN is compatible with tele-neurophysiology service development and may increase the efficiency of patient care in remote areas. This study was conducted to assess the need for CN in the NWHB with a view to implementing a tele-neurophysiology service for the region. A retrospective audit of investigations performed at six CN departments in Dublin compared patient groups from regions with (Eastern Regional Health Authority--ERHA) and without (NWHB) local CN departments. 4954 records were audited. CN activity was lower than internationally expected (ERHA group 52% of expected, NWHB group 23% of expected). The 2 groups differ in the specialty of referring clinician (p < 0.0001). NWHB patients are more likely to be referred by clinicians outside their region (p < 0.0001) and wait longer for appointment (p < 0.0001). While there is an unmet demand for CN services in Ireland generally, the population of the NWHB is further disadvantaged. Tele-neurophysiology has the potential to provide fairer access to CN services across the country. The data from this study provide a baseline against which the outcome of investment in CN can be monitored and evaluated.
authors.affiliation: Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ronan
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Murphy
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: McMenamin
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Lynch
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Delanty
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fitzsimons
mesh_terms: D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009482:Neurophysiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017216:Telemedicine