title: A tele-ultrasound needs analysis in Queensland.
abstract: A tele-ultrasound survey was distributed to clinicians and sonographers in regional and rural sites throughout Queensland. In all, 28 centres were invited to complete a profile questionnaire, and 27 centres were invited to complete a case-log. Twenty-five of the 28 questionnaires were returned (89% response rate). Twenty-two of the 27 case-logs were returned (81% response rate). Obstetric ultrasound was the most frequently performed ultrasound examination, accounting for 846 (35%) of the 2,410 recorded during the two-week survey period. The respondents considered that 182 cases would have benefited from further consultation: 79% for diagnostic advice, 13% for patient management advice and 8% for advice on examination technique. Six hospitals appeared to have the greatest need for a tele-ultrasound service. There was a strong preference for the store-and-forward transmission of static images: 70% preferred this modality, in comparison with 19% who preferred realtime transmission and 11% who preferred store-and-forward transmission of video clips.
authors.affiliation: Logan Hospital, Queensland, Australia. clewis1@vtown.com.au
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lewis
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011247:Pregnancy; D011793:Queensland; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013686:Telemetry / Q000592:standards; D014463:Ultrasonography