Mayo Clinic here in Phoenix is using telemedicine to evaluate mostly rural patients for concussion.
In one case study, docs at Mayo conducted a live audio-video exam of a 15-year-old soccer player who received a concussion during a game.
More than one-third of AZ lacks access to neurological consults—to this was a plus.
Incorrect evaluation of a head blow (and concussions can result from body blows that cause the spongy brain to shift inside the skull, too) can lead to people going back to a sport too soon, causing permanent damage.
Teleconcussion consults are an offshoot of a telemedicine initiative at Mayo aimed at people with strokes—who also don’t get solid neurological backup in some parts of AZ.
One ER doc said he told patients to followup with a specialist—and there were none.
I have a booklet available on concussion if you are interested—go to http://healthsasspresents.blogspot.com.
Happy Thanksgiving, all! No rough horseplay now!
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