Evaluation of a Telemedicine Link Between Darwin and Adelaide to Facilitate Cancer Management

Abstract

The videoconferencing link between the Royal Adelaide Hospital Cancer Centre in South Australia and the Royal Darwin Hospital in the Northern Territory was established to allow Darwin clinicians to discuss cases in multidisciplinary oncology meetings at the tertiary referral center. This was evaluated by questionnaires distributed to the 20 health professionals involved and a group of 8 patients with breast cancer whose case histories had been discussed via videoconferencing. All clinicians found the telemedicine link to be either useful or very useful in at least one aspect of their practice. The major benefit was cited as enabling remote area clinicians to participate in multidisciplinary cancer meetings. Three of the 5 remote clinicians who practiced solely in the Northern Territory found that the telemedicine consultation increased their workload, while only 2 of 13 clinicians who practiced solely in South Australia reported an increase over their normal activities, the others reporting no difference. Benefits identified included better support of isolated clinicians, decreased travel, and enhanced education and peer review. Perceived difficulties were technical problems, the impersonal nature of the interaction, inability to examine the remote patient and lack of reimbursement for the consultation. Seven of the eight patients surveyed were satisfied or very satisfied with the telemedicine consultation. Four patients wished to have access to videotape of the multidisciplinary meeting. Of those requiring travel for treatment, all believed that the telemedicine consultation influenced their care and shortened their time away from home.

A Survey of Recipient Client Physician Satisfaction with Teleoncology Services Originating from Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre

“…[6][7][8] Although several reviews of patients' level of satisfaction and overall functionality of teleoncology services have been published, there is relatively little in the literature relating to recipient client physician satisfaction. 9,10 Some have argued that it is difficult to generalize the results from individual telemedicine projects across all types of telemedicine programs.…”

“…8 The actual primary benefit was felt to be an improvement in the ability to participate in multidisciplinary cancer conferences. Other secondary benefits identified include better support of isolated clinicians, decreased travel, enhanced education, and peer review.…”

Enhancing psychosocial care for people with cancer in rural communities: what can remote counselling offer?

“…60,61 The videophones were easily transported to patients' homes and connected via the existing home phone line. The service was not designed to replace visits, but, in areas difficult to access frequently, it increased contact and support between specialist palliative care nurses and patients between visits, with positive evaluations by the nurses.…”

Advances in Cancer Management: At What Cost to Medical Student Education?

“…24,25 Exposure to cancer patients and clinical facilities will, however, provide a unique challenge for rural students, with limited services being available outside of the metropolitan centres. 9,26,27 However, access to patients in the community and general practice settings should offer different perspectives of cancer management and the opportunity to communicate with patients and their families. Wollongong University has implemented a curriculum utilizing the community to provide the bulk of clinical teaching 16 and it will be interesting to see their results.…”