Telematic electrodiagnosis from six laboratories in three European countries and one Asian country

Abstract

The results of an electrodiagnostic test, the electro-oculogram, recorded under standardized conditions, were compared. Recordings were obtained from 70 normal subjects in three European countries and 28 subjects in an Asian country. All subjects were 18-34 years old. Equal numbers of male and female patients were tested in each of six laboratories. There were no significant differences between the results of the European laboratories. There were, however, significant differences between the results of the European and the Asian laboratories, and between the results from the male and female subjects in all laboratories. This suggests the need for considering the possibility of male/female as well as local variations in normal control values when telemedicine is applied on a global scale.

Telemedicine and developing countries

“…For example, a patient-physician telemedicine systemwasestablishedin1957byDr Cecil Wittsonaspart of a telepsychiatry and medical education programme in Omaha, Nebraska. The programme involvedthe establishment of the first interactive video link, between the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute in Omaha and the Norfolk State Hospital, 112 miles (180km) away 10 . Another earlytelemedicine systemin which there was a regular interaction between physicians and patients was installed in Bostonin1967.…”

“…This was a joint effort between Lockheed, the NASA and the US Public HealthService. The project lasted about 20 years 10 .…”

“…Four multimediabased systems provide comprehensive electrodiagnostic services, researchandteaching 10 . Eachsystemprovidesobjective, reliable, non-invasive assessment of visual functionandhas a wide range of applications in neurosurgery, endocrinology, neurophysiology and psychophysiology, assisting inearly diagnosis.…”