Accident and emergency teleconsultation for primary care--a systematic review of technical feasibility, clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and level of local management.

A systematic review of accident and emergency teleconsultation services was carried out. Studies (English language only) conducted worldwide and published between 1996 and 2003 were included. Evidence relating to technical feasibility, clinical effectiveness, cost effectiveness and level of local management was used as the main outcome measure. Thirty-one studies met the selection criteria. Only two studies were randomized controlled studies. All studies provided evidence that that the service was technically feasible. Of the studies, 97% suggested that the service was clinically effective; 48% (15) of the studies gave figures for the level of local management achieved. The range for local management was 35-100% with a mean of 76%. Only 23% of the studies provided evidence to suggest that the service was cost effective. The case for cost-effectiveness is far from proven and this area of research requires immediate attention if potential users are to be convinced of the value of telemedicine.