Telemedicine Case Studies

Below are two examples where using the TeleDr specialist service results in better treatment for the patient

 A patient presents with a crushed thumb from work on a remote site.

• Patient transferred to nearest health facility e.g. GP surgery
• RFDS unable to evacuate immediately, due to pregnant lady in obstructed labour,
• Patient takes 6 hours to get to public hospital
• Long delay due to busy emergency and surgeon not available
• Patient loses thumb
• Unable to return to his work

Videoconsults with TeleDr specialist

• TeleDr specialist immediately sees severity of injury through videoconferencing.
• TeleDr specialist knows there is a risk of losing digit
• TeleDr specialist helps with RFDS or finds alternative private medivac as RFDS busy
• Patient at private hospital in 3 hours
• Met by hand surgeon
• Digit is saved
• Patient returns to work
• Rehabilitation and review able to be done on site by videoconsult with TeleDr specialist

An employee injures his back while at work.

• Goes to GP who is a little unsure with back pain and arranges CT scan (or MRI) to ensure he doesn't miss something
• Patient takes rest of week off and 2 days the following week waiting and travelling for CT scan
• CT scan OK but by time sees GP again patient has had over 2 weeks off work
• LTI - 12 days

Uses TeleDr Specialists

• Employee sees TeleDr specialist immediately through videoconferencing.
• No neurological features and specialist confident employee can return to work on light duties (no imaging required)
• Worker’s compensation certificate done immediately
• Medication discussed with GP ordered and dispensed
• Rehabilitation done on site with follow up by specialist in 2 weeks
• LTI – 0 (Medical treatment case only)