Naslov
A feasibility study of realtime telemedicine in Croatia using Internet videoconferencing

Autori
Ostojić, Vedran ; Stipić-Marković, Asja ; Tuđman, Zdenko ; Živković, Nenad ; Čvorišćec, Branimir ; Trajbar, Tomislav ; Donnelly, Craig ; Grgić, Marija ; Matek, Petar ; Lušić, Mario ; Iskra, Marjanca

Izvornik
Journal of Telemedicine & Telecare 3 (2000), 6; 172-176

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, stručni

Ključne riječi
Telemedicine; Croatia; videoconferencing; ambulance; Internet

Sažetak
We explored the feasibility of realtime telemedicine in Croatia using Internet videoconferencing. A 33 kbit/s link was established between a team of specialists in the General Hospital 'Sveti Duh' in Zagreb and a general practitioner's clinic in Selca, on the island of Brac. During a two-week study, 16 patients (median age 51 years) were studied. Twenty-one teleconsultations (seven initial and 14 follow-up visits) were conducted, 13 with a specialist in internal medicine, six with a surgeon and two with a neurologist. In 18 cases (86%) telemedicine successfully replaced hands-on examination. The mean duration of the teleconsultations was 7.2 min (initial visits 7.4 min, follow-up visits 7.1 min). Each computer system cost about US$700. The total connection cost for the study was US$4.95. The teleconsultations saved the patients US$272 in travel costs. We suggest forming a permanent on-line specialist service connected to networked clinics via the Internet to improve access to health-care in Croatia.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kliničke medicinske znanosti

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