A Systematic Review of Teleradiology for Remote Neurosurgical Evaluation of Patients in Facilities without Neurosurgery Specialists
Year: 2011
Type: review
Study design: Systematic Review
Abstract: Background: Teleradiology is currently being explored to enhance services for patients seeking emergency neurosurgical diagnoses in Ontario, Canada.\nDesign: Systematic review of literature and cost-consequence analysis.\nData sources: Medline, Embase, Cochrane, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects.\nMethods: Studies published between 1950 and 2008 describing remote consultations for neurosurgical assessments were retrieved. Two reviewers selected studies through multi-staged content screening and extracted data.\nResults 12 of 3765 studies met the inclusion criteria: two were randomized controlled trials and ten were case series. Teleradiology [88% (207/236)] and video-conferencing [89% (213/239] consultations produced higher diagnostic accuracy than telephone consultations [64% (150/235), p<0.001]. Savings varied by location and were based on avoided costs for ground and air transportation and hospitalization.\nConclusions: There is limited evidence of clinical benefit of teleradiology. Savings associated with reduction in patient transfer rates depend on transportation mode and may be attenuated by higher operational costs.
Source: TSpace (University of Toronto)
Author: Dinsie Williams
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2568064535