Abstract
The feasibility and reliability of videoconferencing assessments of autonomy, mobility, and nutrition in seniors versus traditional medical assessments was conducted using 38 seniors, 21 of which were found to evaluable, with an average age of 78, from two long-term healthcare facilities managed by the City of Ottawa, and one independent assisted-living community in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Subjects were randomized to two study arms, whereby the order of videoconferencing and traditional medical assessments varied. Autonomy, mobility, and nutrition, were measured using the standard of care assessments AGGIR, Tinetti, and AQRD, respectively. Each assessment was conducted twice for each subject in random order. The percent agreement between videoconferencing or telemedicine and traditional medical assessments for the respondents using the three standard of care assessments was 89.4% with an associated 10.6% variability, 3.5% of which was attributed to fluctuations in the physical health of the subjects during the study.
Such promising results from videoconferencing assessments of autonomy, mobility, and nutrition in seniors versus traditional medical assessments, are encouraging for the future use of telemedicine to reduce the soaring costs of healthcare among seniors.
Bernard, M., Fruhwirth, M., Janson, F., Burzillo, L., Meunier, L.
Oct. 22, 2001
July 26, 2001
Dec. 12, 2000