Utility of telemedicine for children in India.
OBJECTIVE
To show utility of telemedicine to children in Indian subcontinent.


METHODS
Retrospective analysis of data on 306 consecutive patients (age range 0-15 yr) managed between yr 2005-2008 in telemedicine centre of a tertiary care hospital in North India. The patient consultation were conducted using two customized soft wares--Televital and Sanjeevani. Data was extracted on a predesigned Performa.


RESULTS
The data included clinical details, investigations and radiological images. Ten percent of children were critically ill and could not have been in a position to be transported safely. Twelve percent of the consultations resulted in videoconferencing. There was a paucity of feedback back and follow up of these consultations.


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible to provide e-health care through telemedicine to children in Indian rural and semi-urban setting. The e-health can be extended to critically ill children including newborns on a restricted basis.
Singh
Meenu
M
Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India. meenusingh4@rediffmail.com
Das
Rashmi Ranjan
RR
D000293:Adolescent; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D049269:Videoconferencing