title: Survey of paediatricians' opinions on a regional paediatric telecardiology service.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study is to evaluate consultant general paediatricians' opinions of a UK paediatric telecardiology service.
  
  
  METHODS
  A structured questionnaire was developed and sent to all consultant paediatricians working in a district general hospital in Northern Ireland.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Paediatricians (n = 35) regarded the regional paediatric telecardiology service as very useful and of good value for money. Paediatricans in hospitals without access to telecardiology expressed a desire to join the network (86%, 12/14). More frequent use of the paediatric telecardiology service was associated with increased confidence in performing echocardiography and using the telemedicine equipment and a special interest in neonatology. The vast majority of paediatricians (32/35, 91%) believed that there should be a shared clinical responsibility for the patient following a teleconsultation. A total of 33/35 (94%) stated that the telephone costs of the consultation should be paid by the paediatrician but that the professional time of the cardiologist should be paid by the tertiary centre (29/35, 83%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Paediatricians have consistently positive experiences of a regional paediatric telecardiology service. They believe that clinical responsibility is shared, and there should not be any professional fee for telemedicine activities.
authors: Department of Paediatric Cardiology, The Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children, Belfast, United Kingdom.
authors: Brian A
authors: BA
authors: McCrossan
authors: Nicola N
authors: NN
authors: Doherty
authors: Andrew J
authors: AJ
authors: Sands
authors: Brian
authors: B
authors: Grant
authors: Brian G
authors: BG
authors: Craig
authors: Chris G
authors: CG
authors: McCusker
authors: Frank A
authors: FA
authors: Casey
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002309:Cardiology / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic; D010372:Pediatrics; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: attitude; paediatric cardiology; paediatrician; telemedicine