The added value of video for consultations in telemedicine for minor injuries work.

We examined the decisions made about transfer of patients with minor injuries, when telemedicine support was provided to the remote nurses in two different ways: the telemedicine doctor either used a video link, or a telephone call with viewing of digital X-ray images (a low resolution version of Picture Archiving and Communications Systems [PACS]). A quasi-randomized study design was used, with a panel of 20 emergency medicine doctors who independently reviewed previously-stored consultations using the two modalities. In total, 60 case reviews were conducted during five sessions, representing 33 different cases from the routine workload of Minor Treatment Centres in Scotland.

The introduction of a new consulting technology into the National Health Service (NHS) for Scotland.

New technologies can change healthcare delivery. Cisco HealthPresence, an integrated platform that combines video, audio, and call center technology with medical information to create a virtual clinic experience, was piloted on emergency department patients. The aim was to assess primary care consultations.

A low-cost decision support network for electrocardiograph transmission from oil rigs in the North Sea.

A telemedicine service consisting of electrocardiogram (ECG) interpretation and advice on the management of chest pain offshore was offered to oil rig installations in the North Sea. A total of 14 subscribing oil rigs were supplied with thrombolytic drugs and rig paramedics were trained in their delivery. Electrocardiographs could be recorded using a standard ECG machine and then digitized using a scanner for transmission as an email attachment.

Provision of telehealth to the Scottish Police College.

A telemedicine service was established for the Scottish Police College with medical advice provided from the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Use of the service from November 2004 to February 2006 was audited. A total of 192 patients presented to the service during the 16-month study period.

More patients with minor injuries could be seen by telemedicine.

The Grampian Minor Injuries Telemedicine Service has been operating since 2001 supporting 15 minor injury units (MIUs) in community hospitals. Currently over 120 new patients are seen each month. We conducted a retrospective review to estimate the number of patients who were sent to the main hospital emergency department (ED) who would have been suitable for telemedicine treatment instead.

Telemedicine via satellite to support offshore oil platforms.

On any one day, approximately 15,000-28,000 oil industry personnel are employed in the North Sea oil and gas industry. First aid in this remote environment is provided by non-medical staff on the rigs. Remote specialist advice via videoconferencing should improve the quality of offshore health care and reduce avoidable medical evacuations.

Feasibility of a telemedicine 'booth' for supporting remote care in Scotland.

Access to health care in remote settings is becoming increasingly difficult in Scotland. We have investigated the feasibility of a telemedicine 'booth'. Two telemedicine booths were constructed for display at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh.