Diagnostic accuracy of and patient satisfaction with telemedicine for the follow-up of paediatric burns patients.
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Date
2004-07-26
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Abstract
Videoconferencing has become a routine technique for the post acute burns care of children in Queensland We compared the agreement between clinical assessments conducted via videoconference and assessments conducted in the conventional face to face manner FTF A total of 35 children with a previous burn injury were studied Twenty five children received three consecutive assessments first FTF by a consultant in the outpatient department then by a second consultant who reviewed the patient via videoconference and then by the second consultant in person The second consultant also reviewed another 10 children twice At each review the following variables were measured scar colour scar thickening contractures range of motion the patient s level of general activity any breakdown of the graft site and adequacy of the consultation Agreement between the two consultants when seeing patients FTF was moderately high with an overall concordance of 85 When videoconferencing was used the level of agreement was almost the same at 84 If one consultant reviewed patients FTF first and then via videoconference the overall concordance was 98 if the process was reversed the overall concordance was 97 This study confirms that the quality of information collected during a videoconference appointment is comparable to that collected during a traditional FTF appointment for a follow up burns consultation