The first rheumatology telemedicine outpatient clinic attended by four patients was held in Roscommon on Friday, October 7, and involved them linking up via computer with Consultant Rheumatologist Dr Robert Coughlan in Merlin Park.
One of the first patients who presented to Dr Coughlan found the service beneficial. She said she did not have to travel far for the appointment, nor wait in the outpatients department. Describing the experience as being “similar to ‘Skyping’ her family”, she said she felt “very comfortable about the whole experience”.
Commenting on the initiative, Dr Coughlan said: “I have been conscious of the distance that some review patients had to travel to come to my clinic in Galway.
“This is initially being done on a pilot basis… I would hope that each alternative clinic could be a telemedicine one for patients who are currently stable with their complaint.”
Elaine Prendergast, General Manager, Roscommon County Hospital, said the hospital saw telemedicine as a way forward for other service developments, which will make access to services easier and speedier for patients and their families.
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Lloyd Mudiwa
Quelle/Source: Irish Medical Times, 26.10.2011
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