Descriptive study of a telemedicine program in palpebral pathology for primary care (tele-eyelid)

Abstract

Background and objective: In 2013 we implemented an asynchronous telemedicine circuit for the diagnosis of eyelid diseases (tele-eyelid), connecting the outpatient primary healthcare with the hospital's specialists. The purpose of this study is to assess the use of telemedicine in the diagnosis of eyelid diseases by primary care teams, to evaluate its usefulness and to analyse the epidemiology of the pathological conditions referred to the tertiary level hospital, as well as the need for surgery.

Materials and methods: This study was carried out in the Spanish public health system, in a mainly rural area assisted by the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) and Althaia Xarxa Assistencial Universitària de Manresa. This is a retrospective, descriptive analysis of the telematic consultations undertaken between 2013 and 2019. The consultations between 2018 and 2019 underwent a further descriptive retrospective-prospective analysis to assess the conditions referred to the hospital.

Results: Unnecessary referrals were avoided in 72% of telematic consultations. More than 50% of primary care practitioners used tele-eyelid. Up to 68% of the referrals were due to eyelid tumours, 50% needed surgery and 18%, a biopsy. Moreover, we found a high reliability between telematic and face-to-face diagnosis.

Conclusions: Teleophthalmology applied to eyelid pathology is a useful tool to improve access to specialized care and helps solving pathological conditions. It avoids unnecessary consultations and increases efficiency, both in primary and hospital care.

Keywords: Eficiencia organizacional; Enfermedades de los párpados; Eyelid diseases; Oftalmología; Ophthalmological diagnostic techniques; Ophthalmology; Organizational efficiency; Telemedicina; Telemedicine; Técnicas de diagnóstico oftalmológico.