A review of minor injuries telemedicine

Video support in the management of minor injuries was pioneered in the mid- 1970s in the USA, but remained little more than a technical curiosity pendi ng the development of acceptable equipment some 20 years later. Minor injur ies telemedicine has developed very successfully over the last few years in the UK, the first reported UK minor injuries telemedicine link being set u p in 1994. Peripheral services are generally staffed by emergency nurse pra ctitioners, who can use a telemedicine link when required to obtain realtim e advice from a doctor at a main hospital accident and emergency department . There is now a considerable body of experience to show that the technique is safe and effective, and also some limited data about its economic benef its. The majority of minor injuries teleconsultations involve transmission of radiographs and most minor injuries teleradiology is undertaken on the u nderstanding that a definitive radiologist's report will be issued in due c ourse. Studies show that satisfactory interpretation of plain radiographs i s possible using a low-cost/low-resolution telemedicine link. This is suppo rted by other studies which have shown that even a teleradiology system at reduced cost and technical specifications can yield adequate images. It see ms likely that teleconsultation will become an essential component in the p rovision of accident and emergency services.