[Telemedicine and hand injuries: a feasibility study]

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Emergency Medicine
• Medical Informatics

Context:

• 1.4 million hand injuries occur annually in France, with only 20% managed by hand surgeons.
• A significant portion of hand injuries, particularly complex cases, require specialized care often unavailable locally.
• Geographical distance poses a challenge for accessing expert opinions in hand emergencies.

Purpose:

• To assess the feasibility and effectiveness of telediagnosis for managing hand emergencies.
• To evaluate the utility of a secure, password-protected website for transmitting patient data and expert consultations.
• To determine the average response time for tele-expert opinions in hand trauma cases.

Summary:

• A pilot study involved 129 patients with hand injuries (66 wound, 63 osteo-articular) managed via telediagnosis.
• Electronic medical files, including 460 images and 4 videos, were created and reviewed by specialists.
• The average tele-expert response time was 7 hours, demonstrating the potential for timely remote consultations.

Impact:

• Telemedicine can significantly improve the orientation and management of hand emergencies, bridging the gap in specialized care access.
• This technology offers a viable solution for providing expert advice in remote or underserved areas.
• The study highlights the crucial role of telemedicine in optimizing hand injury treatment pathways.