Benefits of photograph transmission for trauma management in isolated areas: cases from the French tele-medical assistance service.

ABSTRACT

French maritime tele-medical assistance is currently performed by a telephone consultation associated with complementary transmission of data (photographs, electrocardiograms, etc.) over the internet. Five case reports are presented to illustrate how photo transmission is useful to managing initial care and monitoring isolated patients. Case reports included Case 1 management of a hand burn; Case 2 management of a finger wound; Case 3 management of an ocular foreign body; Case 4 management of a subungual haematoma; Case 5 management of phlegmon. In conclusions, photo transmission improves our practice of maritime tele-medical medicine. New high-definition technologies will help in the development of videoconferences on ships.