Official publication of Rawalpindi Medical University
TELE ENT: A Step Forward in Providing Specialist Services in Far Remote Areas
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How to Cite

1.
Asif Zafar Malik ,Nousheen Qureshi , Tabassum Azim, Faisal Murad. TELE ENT: A Step Forward in Providing Specialist Services in Far Remote Areas. JRMC [Internet]. 2017 Mar. 30 [cited 2024 Mar. 29];21(1). Available from: http://journalrmc.com/index.php/JRMC/article/view/112

Abstract

To study the utility of tele medicine
in providing ENT services to far remote areas
Methods: In this descriptive study 2 hourly
weekly consultations were given by ENT consultants
on every friday in Tele Medicine office. Four remote
areas were connected through strong satellite
Connectivity of 512 Kbs and 1 MB to Pindi through
video conferencing with real time imaging modality
was used. The tools used to diagnose the patients
were video Otoscope to examine the ear, video
endoscope and tongue depressor for oral cavity
examination. Routine blood and urine examination
along with required other specific tests like x-Ray,
pure tune audiometry were advised accordingly,
then patients were given treatment for their specific
problem and given dates for follow up visit. Some
patients were booked for surgery and given date of
admission in our hospital. Only some patients with
laryngeal and nasal problems were asked to visit the
OPD for a clearer and better diagnosis as nasal and
laryngeal examination could not be done through
video conferencing. Patients who were given time
for surgery got their investigations done in their
home town and were admitted straightaway as they
arrived in our hospital. These patients were
scheduled for surgery on the next list, and were
successfully operated and followed up post
operatively.
Results: A total of 2159 patients were included in
our study, two third of which were females and rest
male. Majority of our patients had ear problem
followed by throat and nasal problems 1287 of our
patients were successfully managed conservatively
through video conferencing. A total of 792 patients
were referred to us in Holy Family Hospital out of
which 661 were successfully operated and out of
these patients 459 were followed up postoperatively
through video conferencing. The major operations
done were Tonsillectomy, Septoplasty, Endoscopies
(direct laryngoscopies and esophagoscopies),
mastoidectomies, and thyroidectomy. A few
emergency cases like foreign body nose and ear
removal along with foreign body throat removal,
incision of peritonsillar abscess and mastoid abscess
were also done.
Conclusion: Video conferencing in ENT is an
effective tool and method of assessing and treating
ENT conditions. Through Tele ENT potential
surgical admissions can be screened

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