A Systematic Review of Current Teleophthalmology Services in New Zealand Compared to the Four Comparable Countries of the United Kingdom, Australia, United States of America (USA) and Canada

被引:23
|
作者
Walsh, Liam [1 ]
Hong, Sheng Chiong [1 ]
Chalakkal, Renoh Johnson [2 ,3 ]
Ogbuehi, Kelechi C. [4 ]
机构
[1] Southern Dist Hlth Board, Dept Ophthalmol, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
[2] ODocs Eye Care, Res & Dev, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
[3] Univ Auckland, Elect & Comp Engn, Auckland, New Zealand
[4] Univ Otago, Dept Med, Dunedin, Otago, New Zealand
来源
CLINICAL OPHTHALMOLOGY | 2021年 / 15卷
关键词
teleophthalmology; telemedicine; videoconferencing; triaging; age-related macular degeneration; diabetic retinopathy; AMBLYOPIA RISK-FACTORS; STANFORD-UNIVERSITY NETWORK; REAL-TIME TELEOPHTHALMOLOGY; PLUSOPTIX VISION SCREENER; EYE CARE PROVIDERS; DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY; TELE-OPHTHALMOLOGY; REFRACTIVE ERRORS; PLUS DISEASE; PREMATURITY;
D O I
10.2147/OPTH.S294428
中图分类号
R77 [眼科学];
学科分类号
100212 ;
摘要
Background: Over 700,000 New Zealanders (NZ), particularly elderly and Maori, live without timely access to specialist ophthalmology services. Teleophthalmology is a widely recognised tool that can assist in overcoming resource and distance barriers. Teleophthalmology gained unprecedented traction in NZ during the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lock down. However, its provision is still limited and there are equity issues. The aim of this study was to conduct a systematic review identifying, describing and contrasting teleophthalmology services in NZ with the comparable countries of Australia, USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. Methods: The electronic databases Embase, PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Google were systemically searched using the keywords: telemedicine, ophthalmology, teleophthalmology/teleophthalmology. The searches were filtered to the countries above, with no time constraints. An integrative approach was used to synthesise findings. Results: One hundred and thirty-two studies were identified describing 90 discrete tele ophthalmology services. Articles spanned from 1997 to 2020. Models were categorised into general eye care (n=21; 16%); emergency/trauma (n=6; 4.5%); school screening (n=25; 19%); artificial intelligence (AI) (n=23; 18%); and disease-specific models of care (MOC) (n=57; 43%). The most common diseases addressed were diabetic retinopathy (n=23; 17%); retinopathy of prematurity (n=9; 7%); and glaucoma (n=8; 6%). Programs were mainly centred in the US (n=72; 54.5%), followed by the UK (n=29; 22%), then Canada (n=16; 12%), Australia (n=13; 10%), with the fewest identified in NZ (n=3; 2%). Models generally involved an ophthalmologist consultative service, remote supervision and triaging. Most models involved local clinicians transmitting fed-forward or live images. Conclusion: Teleophthalmology will likely play a crucial role in the future of eye care. COVID-19 has offered a unique opportunity to observe the use of teleophthalmology services globally. Feed-forward and, increasingly, live-based teleophthalmology services have demonstrated feasibility and cost-effectiveness in similar countries internationally. New Zealand's teleophthalmology services, however, are currently limited. Investing in strategic partnerships and technology at a national level can advance health equities in ophthalmic care.
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页码:4015 / 4027
页数:13
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