Internet ultrasound benefits rural parents
14 March 2001
Rural and remote parents will reap the benefits now that the sending of fetal ultrasound images over the Internet is possible, according to a study being presented at the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand’s 5th Annual Congress in Canberra.
The study was conducted at the University of Queensland and shows that while ultrasound is an accepted method of diagnosis and assessment of fetal problems, the quality and availability of services varies widely across Australia.
Currently, real-time telemedicine relies on installation of digital lines and so is costly and still restricted to larger rural centres.
‘For families in far-flung parts of the country, telemedicine offers the opportunity for real-time specialist referrals, with less anxiety because of potentially delayed referrals, less disruption to family life, and reduced travel costs,’ said study author, Dr Lisa Begg.
‘If the Internet could be used regularly, this could bring tertiary consultations to even extremely remote centres, using just a portable ultrasound machine with digitised images, a laptop computer and modem.’
Dr Begg added that the results of this study now allowed for further evaluation in the form of clinical trials of diagnostic accuracy and clarity of image.
Last Reviewed: 16 March 2001
