Telemedicine applications in occupational medicine

Telemedicine combines telecommunication technology and medicine to increase access to health care services for patients living in remote areas and enhance the efficiency of delivering that care. This article describes the results of a Mayo Clinic pilot study on the use of telemedicine in an occupational medicine clinic for Mayo Clinic employees and their dependents. The study involved 21 patients who came for initial evaluations for work-related problems or injuries, follow-up visits, visits for acute problems such as low-back pain, and periodic health evaluations. It found that patients and providers were comfortable with the technology after a short training session and satisfied with the outcomes of the visits. More rigorous research evaluating the applications of telemedicine in occupational health care is needed.