Telemedicine and clinical genetics: establishing a successful service

There is a surprising lack of published experience on the use of videoconfe rencing in clinical genetics. Patients were randomly allocated to either a telegenetic (cases) or face-to-face (control) conventional clinic. The tele genetic consultation was done by videoconferencing, using ISDN lines at 384 kbit/s. Evaluation by the doctor and counsellor took place immediately aft er each appointment. The patient was asked to evaluate the appointment by t elephone questionnaire about four weeks after the event. Forty-two patients were invited to participate and 33 (79%) returned their consent forms. Fou r patients declined to participate and were seen in ordinary face-to-face c linics. Preliminary results showed that the assessment of the telegenetics consultations by doctors, counsellors and patients was very favourable, and they responded positively when asked if they would be happy to use telemed icine in the future. For use in selected consultations, videoconferencing d oes appear to fulfil a useful role in clinical genetics.