Telemedicine consultations in congenital heart disease: assessment of advanced technical capabilities.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of adding remote pointer and dynamic display capabilities to a telemedicine system designed to provide consultative services for patients with congenital heart disease. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Independent observations by the referring physician and the consulting physician provided the data for the assessment. Fifty-four teleconsultations involving 38 patients with 21 different congenital heart diseases were analyzed. The teleconsultations were based on previously obtained cineangiograms that were digitized and then transmitted by combined satellite and terrestrial-based technology. The observations, recorded by each physician at his workstation at the time of each teleconsultation, were summarized and analyzed statistically. RESULTS: In 108 observations, the pointer was believed to be helpful in 72 (67%), and dynamic display was helpful in 96 (89%). CONCLUSION: This study suggests that use of a pointer and dynamic display enhances teleconsultations for patients with congenital heart disease.