Internet based ophthalmology service: impact assessment
- Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia
- Correspondence to: Sajeesh Kumar Lions Eye Institute, University of Western Australia, 2 Verdun Street, Nedlands, WA 6009, Australia; sajeeshcyllene.uwa.edu.au
- Accepted 12 April 2005
In 2003, the Department of Health, Western Australia, commenced a teleophthalmology service between Carnarvon Regional Hospital (CRH) and Lions Eye Institute (LEI) at City of Perth (at 940 km), pioneering the use of remote, interactive consultations in ophthalmology. This assessment (a) reports the impact of teleophthalmology service on patient diagnosis, management, outcomes, and satisfaction; and (b) estimates the costs of teleophthalmology service.
Case report
An internet based system (www.e-icare.com) developed and evaluated at LEI, was used to store and transmit multimedia data to a secure, central database.1 Practitioners at CRH collected these data, which included patients’ demographic details, medical history, and ocular images. A portable slit lamp developed at LEI,2 tonometer (Keeler Pulsair 3000, Japan), and digital retinal camera (Canon CR4-45NM, Japan) were also used. A questionnaire and interview approach assessed the satisfaction of the patients …
