Telecardiology application in jordan: its impact on diagnosis and disease management, patients' quality of life, and time- and cost-savings.
Objectives. To assess the impact of live interactive telecardiology on diagnosis and disease management, patients' quality of life, and time- and cost-savings. Methods. All consecutive patients who attended or were referred to the teleclinics for suspected cardiac problems in two hospitals in remote areas of Jordan during the study period were included in the study. Patients were interviewed for relevant information and their quality of life was assessed during the first visit and 8 weeks after the last visit. Results. A total of 76 patients were included in this study. Final diagnosis and treatment plan were established as part of the telecardiology consultations in 71.1% and 77.3% of patients, respectively. Patients' travel was avoided for 38 (50.0%) who were managed locally. The majority of patients perceived that the visit to the telecardiology clinic results in less travel time (96.1%), less waiting time (98.1%), and lower cost (100.0%). Telecardiology consultations resulted in an improvement in the quality of life after two months of the first visit. Conclusions. Telecardiology care in remote areas of Jordan would improve the access to health care, help to reach proper diagnosis and establish the treatment plan, and improve the quality of life.
Department of Community Medicine, Public Health and Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jordan University of Science and Technology, P.O. Box 3030, Irbid 22110, Jordan.
Yousef Saleh
YS
Khader
Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid, Jordan.
Mohamad Ismail
MI
Jarrah
The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
Abde-Ellah M
AE
Al-Shudifat
The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
Amjad
A
Shdaifat
Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Husham
H
Aljanabi
Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Shadwan Ismeil
SI
Al-Fakeh
Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Elias Emil
EE
Turk
Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Khaled Ali
KA
Zayed
The Hashemite University, Zarqa, Jordan.
Hanadi A
HA
Al Quran
Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Ziad Mohd
ZM
Ellauzi
Ministry of Health, Amman, Jordan.
Mohammad
M
Al Tahan