Telemedicine linking primary care physicians and patients in underserved communities could significantly improve outcomes for patients with hepatitis C, according to research published in the New England Journal of Medicine.
Treatment for hepatitis C infection at the University of New Mexico clinic was compared with treatment by primary care clinicians at 21 model sites in rural areas and prisons in New Mexico. The model sites utilized video-conferencing technology to train primary care physicians on how to treat this complex virus.
The university clinic obtained a sustained viral response for 57.5 percent of patients, compared to 58.2 percent of patients at the model sites. Similarly, the university clinic reported a sustained viral response for 45.8 percent of patients with genotype 1 infection, while the model sites reported 49.7 percent. At the university clinic, 13.7 percent of patients experienced adverse events, compared to 6.9 percent of patients at the model sites.
Read the study about telemedicine in New Mexico HCV patients.
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Treatment for hepatitis C infection at the University of New Mexico clinic was compared with treatment by primary care clinicians at 21 model sites in rural areas and prisons in New Mexico. The model sites utilized video-conferencing technology to train primary care physicians on how to treat this complex virus.
The university clinic obtained a sustained viral response for 57.5 percent of patients, compared to 58.2 percent of patients at the model sites. Similarly, the university clinic reported a sustained viral response for 45.8 percent of patients with genotype 1 infection, while the model sites reported 49.7 percent. At the university clinic, 13.7 percent of patients experienced adverse events, compared to 6.9 percent of patients at the model sites.
Read the study about telemedicine in New Mexico HCV patients.
Related Articles on Telemedicine:
Tele-ICU Interventions May Lead to Lowered Hospital Length of Stay, Complications and Mortality
Chicago's Rush University Medical Center Utilizes Telemedicine to Remotely Evaluate Stroke Patients in Oak Park
Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley, Phoebe Ministries Form Teleneurology Partnership