A comparison of epilepsy patients in a traditional ambulatory clinic and a telemedicine clinic
A comparison of epilepsy patients in a traditional ambulatory clinic and a telemedicine clinic
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DOI：
10.1111/j.1528-1167.2005.44804.x
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发表时间：
2005-05-01
期刊：
影响因子：
5.6
通讯作者：
Hartshorn, JC
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Rasmusson, KA;Hartshorn, JC
目的：本文比较了一个传统的门诊在学术医疗中心与远程医疗诊所。远程医疗诊所是一个联合项目的UTMB远程医疗中心和癫痫基金会的东南得克萨斯州，部分资金用于临床操作提供的德克萨斯州卫生部。方法：数据收集所有的病人（n = 155）在这两个诊所在2004年3个月。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）。结果：两组患者的治疗依从性比较采用t检验和卡方检验。没有显着差异，发现在任何人口统计学数据或两组之间的结果measurements.Conclusions：远程医疗是一个可以接受的替代人的诊所为成人癫痫患者提供护理。由于远程医疗计划旨在使医疗保健更接近患者居住的地方，这些诊所提供了一个很好的替代方案，在农村和地理上孤立的地区提供一致的护理。需要进行更多的研究，以调查与远程医疗相关的潜在成本以及随着时间的推移节省成本的潜力，因为患者更有能力获得护理，因此可能更有可能寻求所需的常规护理和随访。
Purpose: 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.Methods: 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.Results: 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.Conclusions: 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.