A new 'telemedicine' clinic at Roscommon County Hospital allows patients to see their consultant without the doctor actually having to be there.

The first rheumatology telemedicine outpatient clinic was held in Roscommon last week.

The clinic involved a computer link-up between patients in Roscommon and Dr Robert Coughlan, consultant rheumatologist in Merlin Park University Hospital, Galway.
 
Dr. Coughlan said he had been conscious of the distance that some review patients had to travel to come to his clinic in Galway.

"Following discussions with staff in Roscommon  we have put a facility in place that has allowed us develop a telemedicine service. This is initially being done on a pilot basis and allows me discuss and review a patient’s condition with them via a computer link - this also means they do not have to travel to Galway."

Dr Coughlan said he would hope that every second clinic could be a telemedicine one for patients who are currently stable with their rheumatology complaint.

According to the HSE, one of the patients, asked about the clinic, felt afterewards  that it was very beneficial for her.  She said that she did not have to travel far for the appointment, and had no waiting time for her appointment in the outpatients.  

She said she felt the experience was similar to 'skyping' her family, which she was familiar with, so she felt very comfortable about the whole experience and was delighted to be the first patient to have participated in the initiative.