Background: The aim of our prospective study was to examine the technical a
bility and the medical suitability of a realtime teleconferencing system in
surgical consultations.
Method: A personal computer-based-videoconferencing system was used over an
architecture of the IP (Internet Protocol) over ATM (Asynchronous Transfer
Mode) area network connecting Satakunta Central Hospital, Pori with a heal
th center in the community of Noormarkku (15 km apart from Pori). A documen
t camera was used for transfering the radiographs and paper documents. The
material consisted of 50 patients who needed surgical consultation. The pat
ients were examined by a physician in the health center of Noormarkku, and
the surgeon interviewed and observed the physical examination with the aid
of teleconference.
Results: Technically the videoconferencing system functioned reliably, and
the visual quality of the videopicture was good after more powerful persona
l computers (Pentium II with a 266 MHz prosessor and 64 Megabits PAM-memory
) were changed for the videoconferencing system. All patients, except one,
saved the travelling to the face-to-face appointment because they got a def
inite decision of the treatment already at the videoconsultation. According
to the opinion of the consulting surgeon, the decision which was made in t
he teleconference was good or very good, except in one case very poor. The
physicians elf the health centers were satisfied both with the decisions of
the treatment of their patients and with the educational effect of a consu
ltation where two physicians are present at the same time. All patients tho
ught that it was good to be in consultation with two doctors.
Conclusion: Surgical videoconsultations are a reliable method and a real al
ternative to sending a patient to a distant place for consultation.