Store & Forward Consultation

 

A store & forward consultation is one in which information is captured from the patient at one time and location and evaluated by a physician at another time and location. It derives its name from the fact that information is captured and “stored” in a digital file at one location and then transmitted or “forwarded” to another location for evaluation.

 

Dermatology provides a good example of this type of consultation. In a dermatology store-and-forward consultation, a provider at a remote site typically takes digital pictures of the patient’s skin lesion with a digital camera and then uploads those images to a secure server along with other clinical information about the patient. At a later time, the dermatologist signs into that server, views the images and reviews the clinical information and writes a set of recommendations that are stored on the server. The referring physician or the original provider at his or her convenience can then sign into the server, review the recommendations and inform the patient of the results and any recommended treatments.

 

Teleradiology is the most widely recognized and used type of store & forward consultation.  

 

To engage in live video consultations, you need to be equipped with the right hardward and connection.  Minimum requirements include:

 

• Flash-enabled Web browser

• Windows or Mac operating system