A retrospective noncomparative consecutive case series was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes of a novel teleophthalmology program linking optometrists to retina specialists in Alberta, Canada. One hundred seventy-one patients, referred by optometrists via teleophthalmology to a group retina practice between June 2004 and May 2006 underwent stereoscopic, mydriatic digital photography. Images were transmitted to a secure Web server and analyzed by a retina specialist. Diagnosis and recommendations were sent back to the optometrist and, if necessary, patients were referred for additional testing and clinical evaluation. A chart review of all clinical encounters was performed and the data was tabulated. Demographic features, diagnosis, testing, treatment, distance and time traveled by patient, durations between telemedicine referral, teleophthalmology consultation, in-person consultation, testing, and treatment were recorded. One hundred seventy patients were assessed via teleophthalmology for a total of 190 consultations. Eighty-nine patients (52.0%) required conventional in-person consultation with a referral completion success of 92.1% (82 patients). Fifty of these patients underwent additional diagnostic testing including fluorescein angiography (41), optical coherence tomography (14), laboratory testing (5), visual fields (2), carotid Doppler ultrasound (2), and ocular ultrasound (2). Twenty-five patients required surgical or medical treatment including focal argon laser (10), photodynamic therapy (8), panretinal photocoagulation (2), vitrectomy (2), scleral buckle (1), and other procedures (8). Average wait time between telemedicine referral and teleophthalmology review of images by the retina specialist was 1.9 days (maximum = 20 days). For those patients requiring office evaluation, the average wait time between teleophthalmology referral and in-person evaluation was 25.1 days. Twenty-one of the 25 patients (84.0%) requiring treatment underwent examination, testing, and treatment in a single day. When compared to conventional consultation methods, teleophthalmology reduced average travel distance and time by 219.1 km and 2.7 hours, respectively. Teleophthalmology reduced office visits to the retina specialist by 48% while improving the efficiency of clinical examination, testing, and treatment. Patients benefited through reduced travel time and distance.
BackgroundIt is widely recognised that significant discrepancies exist between the health of indigenous and non-indigenous populations. Whilst the reasons are incompletely defined, one potential cause is that indigenous communities do not access healthcare to the same extent. We investigated healthcare utilisation rates in the Canadian Aboriginal population to elucidate the contribution of this fundamental social determinant for health to such disparities.MethodsHealthcare utilisation data over a nine-year period were analysed for a cohort of nearly two million individuals to determine the rates at which Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal populations utilised two specialties (Cardiology and Ophthalmology) in Alberta, Canada. Unadjusted and adjusted healthcare utilisation rates obtained by mixed linear and Poisson regressions, respectively, were compared amongst three population groups - federally registered Aboriginals, individuals receiving welfare, and other Albertans.ResultsHealthcare utilisation rates for Aboriginals were substantially lower than those of non-Aboriginals and welfare recipients at each time point and subspecialty studied [e.g. During 2005/06, unadjusted Cardiology utilisation rates were 0.28% (Aboriginal, n = 97,080), 0.93% (non-Aboriginal, n = 1,720,041) and 1.37% (Welfare, n = 52,514), p = <0.001]. The age distribution of the Aboriginal population was markedly different [2.7%≥65 years of age, non-Aboriginal 10.7%], and comparable utilisation rates were obtained after adjustment for fiscal year and estimated life expectancy [Cardiology: Incidence Rate Ratio 0.66, Ophthalmology: IRR 0.85].DiscussionThe analysis revealed that Aboriginal people utilised subspecialty healthcare at a consistently lower rate than either comparatively economically disadvantaged groups or the general population. Notably, the differences were relatively invariant between the major provincial centres and over a nine year period. Addressing the causes of these discrepancies is essential for reducing marked health disparities, and so improving the health of Aboriginal people.
Community-based Health Trainer programmes can be successfully established to promote self-management of chronic pain among clients in the deprived areas using multidisciplinary pain management teams. Utilising a community organization infrastructure that has experience of delivering successful programmes was instrumental in ensuring credibility of the initiative and access for clients. Health trainers can integrate cognitive behavioral training with their existing skills to work with clients who have chronic pain.
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