[Patient consultation via broad-band network--pilot project in hand surgery]

A pilot project launched at Esbjerg was designed to ascertain whether broad-band audiovisual transmission of clinical examination can replace direct contact between patient and physician, and if so to what extent. Provided the technique can be improved and simplified, video consultation is an obvious and economically advantageous alternative to referral to a specialised tertiary clinic. Not only will the technique need to be further tested and improved, however, but doctors will require training in the assessment of moving two-dimensional images and diagnosis via a visual display unit (VDU).