[Assessment of surgical teleconsultations in a developing country: two years of experience in Djibouti].
OBJECTIVE
Our objective was to assess the influence of teleconsultations on patient management and clinical outcomes in a developing country.


METHODS
All the surgical teleconsultations by a single surgeon (orthopedist) between November 2009 and November 2011 were recorded.


RESULTS
Neurosurgery and pediatric orthopedics were the two most important specialities most often concerned, accounting for 67% of the 157 teleconsultations for 138 patients. The teleconsultations resolved the diagnostic uncertainties in 29 of 37 cases (78%). Advice from the expert modified management in 69% cases. Clinical outcomes were good or very good in 86% of the treated patients.


CONCLUSIONS
This study establishes the feasibility and usefulness of surgical teleconsultations in Djibouti.
HIA Desgenettes, service de chirurgie orthopédique et traumatologique, 108, boulevard Pinel, 69003 Lyon, France. antoine_bertani@yahoo.fr
A
A
Bertani
P
P
Menguy
J M
JM
Delmas
F
F
Launay
L
L
Mathieu
P
P
Candoni
R
R
Dulou
F
F
Rongiéras
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003906:Developing Countries; D015730:Djibouti; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D019114:Remote Consultation; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult
Djibouti; surgery; telemedicine