Consultations via telemedicine are just as effective as traditional medical consults in the treatment of non-acute headaches, according to new research published in Cephalalgia.
For the study, researchers from The Arctic University of Norway in Tromsø examined data from patients referred to a specialist for consultation regarding non-acute headaches. Patients were randomized into two groups — one would engage in traditional visits and the other would consult with specialists through telemedicine.
Researchers assessed the quality of the visits with information gathered from questionnaires filled out by 348 patients. The questionnaires evaluated the interactions based on the patient's satisfaction with the consultation, pain intensity and headache improvement and patient compliance with treatment. Researchers found little statistical difference between the two groups.
The researchers concluded, "Telemedicine is non-inferior to traditional consultations in patient satisfaction, specialist evaluation, and treatment of non-acute headaches."
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