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Dec 26, 2022

What is Teleconsultation?

What is Teleconsultation?

“Teleconsultation” is another medical term that many people may have come across but don’t fully understand. Today, MEDcury is here to explain it in detail. Let’s dive in!


What is Teleconsultation?

Teleconsultation is the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) for consultations, whether between healthcare providers or between a healthcare provider and a patient.


Benefits of Teleconsultation

The goal of teleconsultation is to overcome location barriers that affect interactions between healthcare providers who are in different places. It also enhances the capability of healthcare providers to diagnose or treat patients remotely.


This leads to improved diagnostic and treatment processes, increased physician trust, and significant overall improvements in healthcare quality.


2 Characteristics of Teleconsultation

Teleconsultation comes in two forms: Asynchronous Consultation and Synchronous Consultation. Let’s explore both!


1. What is Asynchronous Consultation?

Asynchronous Consultation is when information is recorded and then sent for consultation at a later time. This involves storing and forwarding data, such as recorded videos, X-ray films, photos, and various test results.


Asynchronous Consultation is often used for transferring patient information from general medical staff to specialists.


For example, Hospital A, a smaller facility without a dedicated radiologist, might send recorded X-ray films to a larger Hospital B with a radiology department for expert consultation on a patient's condition.



2. What is Synchronous Consultation?


Synchronous Consultation involves real-time, interactive communication between parties. This includes two-way communication such as real-time discussions among healthcare professionals or live video consultations for diagnosis.


Both forms of Teleconsultation are conducted via email, phone, automated messaging systems, or other devices, including the internet, without requiring face-to-face interaction. Additionally, Teleconsultation is not limited by national borders.



Example Case of Teleconsultation

MEDcury presents a case where various medical centers collaborated to enhance the effectiveness of aneurysm surgery using Teleconsultation.

The story begins at the Neurophysiology Department of a center in Maastricht, Netherlands, which evaluated the Motor-Evoked Potentials (MEPs) data of a patient. This information was then sent over the internet to four vascular centers across three countries in Europe, enabling surgeons to plan strategies to prevent and operate on the aneurysm that might lead to paralysis. The neurologists in the Netherlands and the surgeons at hospitals across Europe consulted in real-time, leading to successful surgeries. Three patients improved, while the other three fully recovered.

This example illustrates how Teleconsultation enables healthcare professionals to collaborate across borders, effectively pooling expertise from various locations.


Key Considerations for Using Teleconsultation

The most critical aspect of Teleconsultation, and other forms of consultation, is the quality and quantity of information. In other words, data must be accurate, comprehensive, and timely to ensure the most effective decision-making for diagnosis and treatment.


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