We assessed the efficiency and effectiveness of burn consultations via tele
medicine. The Regions Hospital Burn Center completed 87 follow-up visits wi
th 40 patients via telemedicine from March 1997 to August 1998. These consu
ltations involved burn physicians, occupational therapists and a clinical p
sychologist. Patients were seen at 15 telemedicine sites in six states (Min
nesota, Iowa, Montana, North and South Dakota, and Wisconsin). Telemedicine
burn consultations were cost-effective for the patient, but were more time
consuming for the physician and therapist. As remote sites become more fam
iliar with preparing patients for teleconsultations, telemedicine will beco
me more efficient for the physician while remaining cost-effective for the
patient.