[Telemedicine in phoniatrics and pediatric audiology--possible applications, technical implementation, economic aspects].

BACKGROUND

Phoniatrics and Paedaudiology investigate and treat disorders of communication more than other medical specialties and are indicated by a distinctive interdisciplinary character. The methods of diagnosis and therapy are concentrated on a few specialists and produce a large quantity of multi-media data from daily clinical practice and research. For the cooperation between the specialists of these and neighboring branches and to reduce the costs for a second opinion these data must be available anywhere and any time using modern telecommunication and information technologies.

METHODS

Following applications for a bi- or multidirectional data transmission are possible: Teleconsulting (second opinion of a far located specialist). Teleteaching (use of different data sources for education) and Teleroboting (remote control of medical equipment). Data sources can be: speaking and singing voice, sound, pictures (X-ray, CT, MR, ultrasound, voice range profile, audiogramm), video signals (stroboscopy, cinematography, intraoperative pictures) and written information (computer presentations) in all combinations. The transmission can be carried out synchronously or asynchronously, i.e. at the time for their generation or independent of this. This paper discusses the basics and the advantages and disadvantages of the available technologies and compares it for phoniatric/paedaudiologic applications in an experimental transmission.

RESULTS

Use of the different technologies should be carried out depending upon the required quality, the availability and the costs considering medico-legal aspects. Relatively cheap and always available technologies are suitable for many applications in Phoniatrics and Paedaudiology. High costs for acquisition of the equipments could lowered by a common use of different medical branches. Expensive procedures with excellent communication quality are confined to special applications at the moment.

CONCLUSION

Telemedicine can optimize quality and extend of the medical care and education in Phoniatrics and Paedaudiology with a simultaneous cost reduction and should increasingly be used in this branch.