Videoconferencing in the Queensland health service

Videoconferencing was introduced in the Queensland health service in 1995. By the end of 1999, there were more than 150 videoconferencing units in hea lth facilities around the state. Six audits of videoconferencing usage were conducted using similar methodology at six-month intervals from November 1 997 to May 2000. Between November 1997 and November 1999, the number of cal ls more than doubled, from 566 to 1378. Hours of usage almost trebled, from 671 to 1724. The average duration of calls remained similar, at about I h 12 min. The proportion of calls involving more than two sites (multipoint v ideoconferences) increased from 44% to 65%. The majority of the activity wa s for education (including training). Videoconferencing was also used for a dministration and clinical care. Mental health staff were the heaviest user s, but use by health professionals from other specialty areas increased dur ing the study period. The Queensland health service has realized a number o f important benefits from telehealth.