Avoiding artificiality in teleconsultations

The ideal videoconferencing environment would produce the minimum feeling o f artificiality for its users. We assessed nurse and patient perceptions of artificiality by varying the technical and operational procedures for tele medicine in a minor injuries unit. Twenty-five patients and eight emergency nurse practitioners (ENPs) participated in simulated teleconsultations und er a variety of different conditions and completed a Likert-scale survey. T here was a close correlation between the ENPs' ratings and the patients' ra tings for the various factors (r >0.99). In relation to technical factors, a flicker-free television screen and the user being seated close to the scr een were preferred. Similarly, in relation to operational procedures, an in itial explanation of telemedicine introductions and adequate preparation we re also preferred. The study suggests that careful attention to technical s pecifications and operational procedures can reduce the perceived artificia lity of teleconsultations.