SMART PHONE BASED TELEOPHTHALMOLOGICAL SERVICES OF MKCG MCH, BERHAMPUR
Journal Title: Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare - Year 2018, Vol 5, Issue 27
Abstract
BACKGROUND The rural citizens who constitute major portion of Indian population are underprivileged as they have very little or no access to tertiary eye care. In order to make eye care services accessible to everyone, the concept called teleophthalmology has come into existence. A mobile van with eye-care-experts and equipment regularly reconnoiters through the rural population in the district of Ganjam to carry out screening, offsite diagnosis, monitoring, providing treatment and distantly educate the paramedics. The whole gamut of activities of this initiative can be categorized into three broad aspects. The first one is to screen out patients with treatable ailments and advise them for future course for a better prognosis. The second one is to educate the paramedics and ophthalmic assistants of their locality and generate consciousness among the mass. The third one is smartphone-based transmission of information of patients to the Prof. & Head and to other senior faculty of Department of Ophthalmology for treatment on the spot or to store information for use subsequently. MATERIALS AND METHODS A mobile van (air conditioned) which has inhouse sterilization chemicals, betadine, spirit, sterilized drum, surgical instruments, surgical gloves & surgical masks, slit lamp, autorefractometer, fundus camera, streak retinoscope, ophthalmoscope, trial box, vision drum, tonometer, colour vision chart, magnifying lenses, smart phones, on-board computer etc. were deployed for the purpose. Ophthalmological experts and paramedics organized camps in villages. RESULTS 1541 rural patients were examined and treated at their doorsteps. Medical treatment was provided on the spot of examination. 44 camps were organized over a period starting from July 2016 to February 2018. CONCLUSION Vision centers provide access to permanent primary eye care and a comprehensive eye examination having a clear advantage over outreach camps. Consultation with professors at base hospital helps in diagnosis and patients’ satisfaction. It also saves cost for both provider and patient. Teleophthalmological mobile van services are a good, cost effective option in providing primary eye care in rural areas. Patients are immensely benefited. Smart phones are utilized for exchange of vital information between the camp sites and the base hospitals.
Authors and Affiliations
Sanjukta Mahapatro, Suchitra Dash, Nageswar Rao Subudhi B.
Keywords
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- EP ID EP569083
- DOI 10.18410/jebmh/2018/430
- Views 78
- Downloads 0
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