Telemedicine on a small island

Information on the health status of the population of a small Greek island was collected. The information consisted of personal data, clinical history , physical examination, blood pressure evaluation, electrocardiography, and ultrasound scans of neck, breast and abdomen. Ninety-six per cent of the e ntire island population (280 inhabitants) participated in the study. Two pe r cent were at risk of serious complications of pathological disease and we re immediately referred to a regional hospital for adequate care while 25% had minor pathological problems. Our experience suggests that health-care w orkers on small islands should be trained in the use of technology as a mea ns of communication with mainland hospitals.