A Year of TELESYNERGY® in Southeastern North Carolina
Introduction:
New Hanover Regional Medical Center (NHRMC) received a grant from the National Cancer Institute to evaluate and overcome cancer disparities among underserved populations in Southeastern North Carolina, with the goal of improving accrual to clinical trials. In order to facilitate sharing of technological and clinical expertise, a telemedicine link was established between oncologists in the community at NHRMC and those in academia at the University of North Carolina (UNC). Herein we describe the TELESYNERGY® system and the first year of its use.
Description & Results:
The TELESYNERGY® suite at NHRMC includes a Tandberg video codec, a PC with clinical software programs, a 14’ LCD LCD TV monitor (outgoing video), a 42’ plasma monitor (incoming video), and a Planar 3 Megapixel Grayscale monitor (radiology images). Connected to the system are a microscope, radiographic scanner, document camera, examination camera, VCR, DVD recorder, and microphones. Following installation of the suite, the system was connected to hospital PACS (diagnostic imaging) and radiotherapy treatment planning systems. Between August 2004 and August 2005, ninety-five TELESYNERGY® activities occurred in three conference categories: multidisciplinary tumor board (79), radiotherapy treatment planning (7) and other (9). Participant satisfaction with the teleconferences was high
Conclusions:
Our first year of experience indicates that TELESYNERGY® between academic and community oncology centers was versatile and clinically beneficial.
Contact Information:
Patrick Maquire, MD, Primary Investigator
New Hanover Radiation Oncology
New Hanover Regional Medical Center
2131 South 17th Street
Wilmington, NC 28401
pmags@bizec.rr.com
Voice: (910) 251-1839
Fax: (910) 251-8286
