Effect of telemedicine on patients' diagnosis and treatment.

We conducted a post-consultation survey during 1998-2002 (n = 412 consultations) in the Rural Hospital Telehealth Project run by the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Changes in the patient's diagnosis and treatment plan as a result of the telemedicine session were assessed. There were 47 consultants, who conducted 2-82 consultations each.

The impact of telemedicine on patients' cost savings: some preliminary findings.

This study evaluated patients' cost savings in a telehealth project at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' (UAMS) during 1998-2002. Differences in patients' cost savings from telemedicine were assessed by gender, age, ethnicity, education, occupation, annual household income, health insurance status, and household and community size. Variables examined for patients' cost savings included travel distance for medical care, missed days at work, and family expenses.

Participant satisfaction in an adult telehealth education program using interactive compressed video delivery methods in rural Arkansas.

Context: Rural Americans have less access than their urban counterparts to health promotion information.

Purpose: To assess differences in program satisfaction associated with age, gender, ethnicity, community size, and education among participants in an Arkansas adult telehealth education program that utilized interactive video technology.

Methods: A program evaluation instrument was administered to a convenience sample of 2567 people who participated in the program from 1996 through 1999.

Participant satisfaction with a school telehealth education program using interactive compressed video delivery methods in rural Arkansas.

Socioeconomic and demographic factors can affect the impact of telehealth education programs that use interactive compressed video technology. This study assessed program satisfaction among participants in the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences' School Telehealth Education Program delivered by interactive compressed video. Variables in the one-group posttest study were age, gender, ethnicity, education, community size, and program topics for years 1997-1999.