A new study published in JAMA Ophthalmology examines teleophthalmology in the emergency department to mitigate coverage gaps in emergency ophthalmic care.
The researchers administered surveys to 187 emergency departments throughout California over the phone and online from June 30 to Sept. 23, 2014. There were 18 rural facilities that responded and 112 non-rural facilities with responses. The researchers found:
1. Among nurse manager responses, 124 of the 187 gathered rated teleophthalmology as having a high value for triage purposes; 80 of the 121 physicians responding said the same.
2. Emergency teleophthalmology was the most frequently cited potential advantage to assist patient triage; the immediate real-time electronic communication is another potential advantage.
3. The most frequently-cited potential disadvantage was the unknown contracting costs. The maintenance and concern for eye trauma could make photographs or videos less conclusive as well.
4. The nurse managers and physicians showed moderately high interest for teleophthalmology for remote triage and consultation.
5. The study authors concluded teleophthalmology could play a role in mitigating coverage gaps for emergency ophthalmic care in the future.