The use of telemedicine to assess and advise patients regarding dietary treatment of hyperphosphataemia

Satellite units have the benefit of being local to patients and easily accessible. The main hospital where the dietitians are based is some distance away from the satellite unit. This has traditionally made it more difficult for the dietitians to assess satellite unit patients other than at set times when all the patients are assessed and advised in one visit. The aim of the telemedicine unit was to make dietary assessment of satellite unit patients easier by reducing travel time and to be more accessible to patients at times when visits by the dietitian were not scheduled. Telemedicine units were linked from the main hospital to the satellite unit. Fourteen patients were assessed and advised via this method and of these patients 8 patients were seen for help with their hyperphosphataemia. Phosphate levels on referral were 2.46 +/- 0.47mmols/l and by the following month after review by the dietitian had decreased to 2.06 +/- 0.43mmols/l (p=0.01) and 1.96 +/- 0.16mmols/l by month 6 (p=0.02). This small study shows that the telemedicine unit is an effective way to assess patients and communicate information. Travel time has been saved and patients have had the benefit of receiving dietary information soon after their raised phosphate result rather than having to wait for the next scheduled visit by the dietitian.