What chance of relief has a child with severe medical problems when he lives on the slopes of the Himalayan Mountains? Quite good, in fact, thanks to a group of Queensland doctors and an internet-savvy charity that is connecting doctors with patients in remote corners of the world.
The doctors are part of a growing group of specialists who provide free medical advice to their colleagues in developing countries via the internet.
The project is operated by the Swinfen Charitable Trust (SCF), based in the United Kingdom. The trust co-ordinates consultations between doctors in developing countries and medical specialists. The link in made via email and digital images of the patient.
The Trust has 11 telemedicine sites, including links in Bangladesh, Nepal, the Solomon Islands and Tristan Da Cunha, off the Cape of Good Hope. In Brisbane, The University of Queensland’s Centre for Online Health has provided the internet link, with the support of Director of Resarch, Professor Richard Wootton.
“The Trust’s focus on assisting the poor, sick and disabled people of the developing world using email for consultations makes it a pioneer in low cost telemedicine,” Professor Wootton said.
Around 30 local specialists are currently involved with the work of the trust. Some recent cases have involved rheumatologist Professor Peter Brooks, who provided advice on arthritis treatments for a young Nepalese boy and paediatrican Professor John Pearn, who consulted on a mysterious neck swelling in a 14-year-old boy from Sierra Leone.
The trust’s founders, Lord and Lady Swinfen, will thank local doctors at a special reception today from 4.30pm to 5.30pm at the Royal Children’s Hospital. They will review the work of the Trust in a presentation to the 2nd International Conference on Successes and Failures in Telehealth to be held on 1st and 2nd August at the Keidanren Auditorium, Royal Children’s Hospital.
Lord and Lady Swinfen will be available for interview today between 10am and noon at the Centre for Online Health, Royal Children’s Hospital.
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT FACULTY COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER MARLENE MCKENDRY ON 3346 4713 OR 0401 996847.
