A PILOT-STUDY OF TELE-ONCOLOGY IN SCOTLAND

A pilot study of tele-oncology linking a cancer centre with a rural di strict general hospital was carried out; it involved patients, physici ans, surgeons, radiologists and nursing staff. Its purpose was to comp lement the existing on-site outpatient services, providing oncological advice on non-clinic days. During the six months of the trial, 18 vid eoconferences were conducted. Their median duration was 17 min (range 7-40). Eight videoconferences involved patients directly. Acceptabilit y of videoconferencing to doctors, nurses and patients was assessed by a questionnaire. Patients and staff found the technique acceptable an d were satisfied with the results. The addition of a teleradiology sys tem to teleconsultations was found to be important when decisions on p atient management were taken. Following the success of this pilot tria l, larger studies of tele-oncology in the UK with measures of cost-eff ectiveness are needed.