European telehealth networks for oncology case discussions and stroke units

Abstract

Two telehealth networks were developed, using similar equipment. The first was a network for oncology with six associated hospitals in northern Germany. The second was a teleneurology network for stroke units in mid-Germany. Each hospital was connected to a synchronous DSL-line with a bidirectional bandwidth of 2 Mbit/s. A DSL-router was used to connect the telemedicine PCs to the DSL link. After a training period of about 2–3 weeks, the systems were well accepted by the medical staff and physicians. In the first 15 months operation of the oncology network, the associated hospitals met regularly twice a week via videoconference for case discussions, in most cases with two or three connected sites. In the first 12 months of operation of the teleneurology network, 700 tele-consultations were conducted with the four remote hospitals, each consultation lasting for an average of 15 min. Both projects can be considered as successful and helpful in daily clinical work.