The Ability of Specialized Hospitals of Iran University of Medical Sciences in Establishing Remote Medical Advice

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The rate of access to health care is known as the main index of community health. Teleconsultation is defined as using comminuting equipments to connect physicians and patients. This study aimed to survey the readiness of specialized hospitals to implement teleconsultation, focusing on manpower readiness, as well as communicational equipments and procedures.•

The present descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 2010. Research population consisted of hospital management unit, information technology (IT) unit, matron, supervisors, etc. The research sample included 106 top and middle managers of the studied hospitals. Data was collected by a self-developed questionnaire that researcher. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire was determined by the researcher. Data was analyzed by SPSS.•

Among the 8 studied hospitals, 4 cases scored more than average (29). Hasheminezhad•Hospital was in the best condition than the other hospitals in the study. In addition, Hasheminezhad and Shahid Fahmide Hospitals scored higher than average on awareness of managers and required standards.•

Implementation of teleconsultation could facilitate community accessibility to health services. It would also lead to a considerable reduction in health expenditures. Therefore, hospitals are suggested to do the necessary interventions for establishing teleconsultation network.