Realtime telemedicine for paediatric otolaryngology pre-admission screening.
We conducted a feasibility study to examine whether a paediatric patient at a regional hospital could be assessed by an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist via videoconference, therefore saving at least one journey to the tertiary hospital for a pre-admission appointment. A video-otoscope was used with standard videoconference equipment, and realtime images were transmitted at a bandwidth of 384 kbit/s. In all, 13 telepaediatric ENT clinics were conducted between November 2003 and April 2005, and 98 consultations were facilitated for 64 patients. The main reasons for referral were recurrent tonsillitis (25%) and obstructive sleep apnoea (23%). Of the 64 patients examined by telemedicine, 42 (66%) were recommended for surgery and placed on the surgical waiting list. About 12 patients (19%) required travel to the tertiary centre for further investigations and tests not available locally, while four patients (6%) were reviewed via videoconference during a scheduled clinic. Six patients (9%) required no further follow-up after their initial telepaediatric consultation. Videoconferencing is an effective method of assessing ENT conditions of paediatric patients and for pre-screening potential surgical admissions to a tertiary hospital. Careful consideration of a number of economic and logistical factors needs to be made before large investments are made to expand the service.
Smith
Anthony C
AC
Centre for Online Health, University of Queensland, Australia. a.smith@pobox.com
Williams
Judy
J
Agnew
Julie
J
Sinclair
Stephen
S
Youngberry
Karen
K
Wootton
Richard
R
D000293:Adolescent; D001315:Australia; D002648:Child; D002662:Child Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003955:Diagnostic Tests, Routine / Q000379:methods*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010036:Otolaryngology; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D019114:Remote Consultation / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014195:Travel; D049269:Videoconferencing / Q000592:standards