Telemedicine Utilization in Rural Trauma Care and Its Effects on Secondary Overtriage Rates: A Concise Review.

Area of Science:

• Trauma Care
• Rural Health
• Telemedicine Applications

Background:

• Rural areas bear a high trauma burden, with higher mortality rates due to distance and delayed care.
• Secondary overtriage, or unnecessary interfacility transfers, affects up to half of rural trauma patients.
• Limited access to specialists in rural settings exacerbates challenges in providing timely trauma care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess telemedicine's impact on secondary overtriage in rural trauma.
• To evaluate patient outcomes associated with telemedicine in rural trauma settings.
• To identify barriers and financial implications of telemedicine implementation for rural trauma care.

Main Methods:

• A systematic review of 5 databases was conducted.
• Included studies focused on telemedicine's effects in rural adult trauma settings.
• Articles published up to July 7, 2025, were screened.

Main Results:

• Teletrauma implementation decreased interfacility transfers, with 89% of patients treated locally.
• No increase in mortality or hospital length of stay was observed for non-transferred patients.
• Telemedicine showed potential for significant reductions in hospital and transfer costs, though further research is needed.

Conclusions:

• Telemedicine can decrease unnecessary transfers in rural trauma care without negative clinical outcomes.
• Barriers like licensure and costs exist but can be overcome.
• Early evidence suggests substantial financial benefits for rural trauma facilities using telemedicine.