Abstract
We carried out a study of the value of videoconferencing in consultations between general practitioners GPs and ophthalmologists in Finland. We used ISDN lines 128 kbit s between the Primary Health Care Centre in Ikaalinen and the ophthalmology clinic at the Tampere University Hospital TAUH. Questionnaires covering both clinical and technical matters were given to patients and doctors after the consultation. During the 10-month study, consultations were carried out successfully for 23 of 24 patients 96 . Most consultations 84 took less than 15 min. If we had not had this system, the GP would have made 21 referrals to an ophthalmologist. After teleconsultation, six patients were sent to the TAUH, so the system saved 15 referrals. Twenty-two patients 92 thought that videoconferencing was a reliable tool for GPs. Our system proved to be a valuable and reliable tool for the GPs in ophthalmology consultations and continuing education.