@Article{chd.12480,
AUTHOR = {Lubica Kovacikova, Martin Zahorec, Peter Skrak, Brian D. Hanna, R. Lee Vogel},
TITLE = {Transatlantic medical consultation and second opinion in pediatric cardiology has benefit past patient care: A case study in videoconferencing},
JOURNAL = {Structural and Congenital Heart Disease},
VOLUME = {12},
YEAR = {2017},
NUMBER = {4},
PAGES = {491--496},
URL = {http://www.techscience.com/schd/v12n4/39185},
ISSN = {3071-1738},
ABSTRACT = {<b>Background:</b> Telemedicine is a rapidly evolving form of modern information and communication
technology used to deliver clinical services and educational activities.<br/>
<b>Objective:</b> The aim of this article is to report and analyze our experience with transatlantic consultation via videoconferencing in pediatric cardiology.<br/>
<b>Methods:</b> In February, 2013, videoconferencing project was launched between a medium-volume
pediatric cardiac center in Bratislava, Slovakia and subspecialty experts from a high-volume pediatric cardiac program at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP), USA. During 1.5–2 hours
videoconferences, 2–3 patients with similar complex clinical scenarios were presented to CHOP
experts. The main goal of the project was consultation on individual patients to validate, alter or
radically change clinical management plans.<br/>
<b>Results:</b> From February, 2013 to January, 2017, 25 videoconferences occurred and 73 cases were
discussed. The median patient age was 52 months (range; 1 day–30 years). Forty-six discussed
cases were outpatients, 21 patients were in the intensive care unit and 6 patients were discussed
post mortem. Thirty-one CHOP experts from different subspecialties participated actively in
patient consultations. The most frequent recommendations were related to single ventricle, pulmonary hypertension or heart failure patients and intervention in complex and/or rare cardiac
diseases. Specialists from CHOP agreed completely with the original care plan in 16% of cases. In
52% cases, adjustments to original plan were suggested. Radical changes were recommended in
30% of cases. Receiving institution adopted recommendations to the patient care fully in 79% and
partially in 13% of patients.<br/>
<b>Conclusions:</b> Based on our 4-year experience we consider videoconferencing between mediumsize pediatric cardiac center and subspecialty experts from a high-volume pediatric cardiac program a suitable form of medical consultations. Videoconferencing assists in clinical decision
making for complex patient cases and serves as an effective educational tool to gain knowledge
and experience “without borders.”},
DOI = {10.1111/chd.12480}
}