Screening for diabetic retinopathy in rural areas: the potential of telemedicine.

Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of blindness, and screening can identify the disease at an earlier, more treatable stage. However, rural individuals with diabetes may have limited access to needed eye care. The objective of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility of a diabetic retinopathy screening program using a state-of-the-art nonmydriatic digital fundus imaging system.

Profile of users of real-time interactive teleconference clinical consultations.

Background: Real-time interactive teleconference clinical consultations are envisioned for increasing accessibility to medical care by patients whose demographics restrict care. There are no published studies, however, describing referrals and the referring practitioners, patients, and specialists participating in these consultations.

Objective: To assess characteristics of participants of interactive teleconference clinical consultations.

How to merge telemedicine with traditional clinical practice.

Using telemedicine to care for homebound patients increases patients' access to care, reduces resource consumption, and improves use of scarce health professionals.