Ultrasound over the 'net' brings real-time care to the bush -
Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand, 5th Annual Congress, Canberra
Sending fetal ultrasound images over the Internet is now possible and rural and remote parents will be able to reap the benefits according to a study being presented at the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand 5th Annual Congress in Canberra this week.
The study conducted by the Mater Centre for Maternal Fetal Medicine and the Centre for Online Health at the University of Queensland has found that the compression of video clips for fetal ultrasound consultations - transmitted via the Internet - is technically possible.
"For families in far-flung parts of the country, telemedicine offers the opportunity for real-time specialist referrals, with less anxiety because of potentially-delayed referrals, less disruption to family life, and reduced travel costs," study author, Dr Lisa Begg, said.
The study shows that while ultrasound is an accepted method of diagnosis and assessment of fetal problems, the quality and availability of the services varies widely across Australia.
Currently, real-time telemedicine relies on installation of digital lines and so is costly and still restricted to larger rural centres.
"If the Internet could be used regularly this could bring tertiary consultations to even extremely remote centres, using just a portable ultrasound machine with digitised images, a laptop computer and modem," Dr Begg said.
She said the results of this study now allowed for further evaluation in the form of clinical trials of diagnostic accuracy and clarity of image.
Dr Begg's study will be presented at the PSANZ Congress this Wednesday 14 March at 1pm EST.
The Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand is an organisation of healthcare professionals dedicated to the care of mother and baby during pregnancy, birth and early childhood.