Store-and-forward teleneurology in developing countries

Abstract

We assessed the feasibility of a store-and-forward email teleneurology service between a UK neurologist and a rehabilitation hospital in Bangladesh. Over 12 months, email advice was requested for 12 patients (mean age 43 years, range 15-57 years). Each patient generated an average of 5.2 email messages. Eight cases were considered complicated by the neurologist, who would have preferred a video-link consultation for these. The referring doctor found the neurologist's advice beneficial in 75% of the complex cases and in all of the more straightforward cases. Patient care was changed in 50% of the cases as a result of the specialist advice and one patient transfer out of the country was avoided. Store-and-forward teleneurology is effective for delivering expert neurological advice.