[Telemedicine consultations in Iceland]

A Telemedicine project was initiated to evaluate the usefulness of medical teleconsultations in Iceland and to gain experience for further planning of Telemedicine in the country.

The consultations were based on videoconference and store and forward method. Electronic stethoscope, spirometry, otoendoscope and digital pictures were used along with conventional videoconsultations. Doctors in six specialties in Landspitali University Hospital and one in private practice and Primary Care Physicians from five Health Care Centers in Iceland participated in the project.

The results show that the Telemedicine consultations is practical and can be very useful. The doctors were content with the use of Telemedicine and the patients were pleased with the technique and the consults in general. All patients for example said that the consultation was just as or even better as if the specialist was in the room in person. The use of Telemedicine was helpful in almost all of the cases. Attention must be paid to organization of the consultations, payment, technical details and knowledge.

Telemedicine have a role for Icelandic healthcare and may prove to be very useful. There are a number of factors who need preparation before the implementation of a Telemedicine service.