Rasmusson Karen A, Hartshorn Jeanette C
Department of Neurology, University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, 77555, USA.
Epilepsia. 2005 May;46(5):767-70. doi: 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.44804.x.
This article compares a traditional ambulatory clinic in an academic medical center with a telemedicine clinic. The telemedicine clinic is a joint project of the UTMB Telehealth Center and the Epilepsy Foundation of Southeast Texas, with partial funding for clinical operations provided by the Texas Department of Health.
Data were collected on all the patients (n = 155) in both clinics for 3 months in 2004. In addition to demographic information, outcome data (number of seizures, hospitalizations, and emergency room visits) were gathered. Medication compliance also was collected by using self-report and medication levels.
Outcome variables were subjected to t test and chi(2) analysis. No significant differences were found in any of the demographic data or outcome measures between the two groups.
Telemedicine is an acceptable alternative to in-person clinics for the provision of care to adults with epilepsy. Because telemedicine programs are designed to bring medical care closer to where patients live, these clinics provide an excellent alternative to provide consistent care in rural and geographically isolated areas. Additional studies are needed to investigate the potential costs associated with telemedicine as well as the potential for cost savings over time as patients are more able to access care and therefore may be more likely to seek the needed routine care and follow-up.
本文比较了学术医疗中心的传统门诊与远程医疗门诊。该远程医疗门诊是德克萨斯大学医学分部远程健康中心和德克萨斯东南部癫痫基金会的联合项目，临床运营的部分资金由德克萨斯州卫生部提供。
2004年，收集了两家门诊所有患者（n = 155）连续3个月的数据。除人口统计学信息外，还收集了结局数据（癫痫发作次数、住院次数和急诊就诊次数）。用药依从性也通过自我报告和药物水平来收集。
对结局变量进行t检验和卡方分析。两组在任何人口统计学数据或结局指标上均未发现显著差异。
对于为成年癫痫患者提供护理而言，远程医疗是传统门诊的可接受替代方式。由于远程医疗项目旨在使医疗服务更贴近患者居住地，这些门诊为在农村和地理上孤立地区提供持续护理提供了绝佳选择。需要进一步研究以调查与远程医疗相关的潜在成本，以及随着患者更易获得医疗服务，进而可能更倾向于寻求所需的常规护理和随访，随着时间推移节省成本的潜力。
