Telemedicine, mobile phones and burn wound assessment and management: A valid resource for South Africa?

Abstract

Access to specialist care in the management of burn injuries may be possible through the use of telemedicine. The burned area extent and depth are mainly visual, allowing the transmission of digital images from remote areas in rural South Africa to higher levels of care, such as burn units. Regulations to keep patient’s confidentiality and safe transmission and use of the images must be achieved through a proper discussion of the medico-legal issues with the official statutory body.