WHY On-line Medical doctors ARE SO Handy IN PAKISTAN

[Crista Atilano]

Researchers Say Pioneering Emergency Eye Care Trial Leads To telehealth nursing homes Quicker Treatment Times™

The tele-ophthalmology system, developed by the University of Strathclyde and by NHS Forth Valley, uses a live video feed to securely connect doctors, opticians and patients. Using a mixture of 3-D printed technology developed at Strathclyde, combined with the Scottish Government funded Attend Anywhere Video Consultation Platform, eye doctors can remotely examine patients in emergency departments and High Street opticians. The trial, which started in April 2018, has now become part of usual practice in the Emergency Departments at Forth Valley Royal Hospital in Larbert and in the Minor Injuries Unit at the Stirling Health and Care Village. All seven on-call consultants within NHS Forth Valley use the technology. It is also being trialled in one of Scotland's busiest A & E departments at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in collaboration with NHS GG&C's Medical Devices Unit, which will ensure the roll out of the adaptor meets medical device regulations. NHS Forth Valley has received more than 80 consecutive video referrals for urgent eye problems, with the need for a second appointment deemed to have been saved in an estimated 50 per cent of cases. Tele-ophthalmology is a branch of telemedicine that delivers eye care through digital medical equipment and allows clinicians to provide quality health care outside of clinics. It allows a totally new way of working that combines our Strathclyde technology for eye imaging, developments in mobile camera technology, high data transmission speeds, and emerging telemedicine software. The system means that emergency cases are identified earlier and theatre teams can be mobilised more quickly, with treatment starting immediately when needed. When a colleague needs a steer on what to do, we can have a live view through their equipment, and connect them with a more nuanced plan, often preventing a trek to the eye clinic, and hours of waiting in a second waiting room. Patients can get quite anxious but if they can get a face to face consultation with an ophthalmologist and get things explained to them it can help put their mind at rest. It's very easy to use and the image and sound quality are very good. I greatly welcome this successful trial of a Scottish-Government funded initiative. This project demonstrates our commitment to new approaches and new technology that improve patient experiences, promote better healthcare outcomes, and support clinicians in their work. Peter Boath was driving his car when at first what he thought was a fly came through the window and lodged in his eye. It wasn't until the next day he realised it was something more serious. He went to his local optician in Alloa, Clackmannanshire, which is one of those taking part in the trial. After examining his eye, the optometrist had a virtual tele-ophthalmology consultation with an NHS Forth Valley registrar. It wasn't until the next day when it hadn't come out that I realised it was something else. She linked up with an ophthalmologist and was able to remove what turned out to be a piece of metal from my eye.