Abstract
Background: Telemedicine has already been applied to various medical specialties for diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up visits for the general population. Telemedicine has also proven effective by providing advice, diagnosis, and treatment to seafarers during emergency medical events onboard ships. However, it has not yet been applied for pre-employment medical examinations and follow-up visits on board ships. Objective: This review aimed to assess the possibility of using telemedicine during periodic visits between one pre-employment medical examination and others on board ships, and to recommend necessary medical examination tests with screening intervals for seafarers. Methods: Various databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were explored using different keywords, titles, and abstracts. Studies published between 1999 and 2019, in English, in peer-reviewed journal articles, and that are conference proceedings were considered. Finally, the studies included in this review were chosen on the basis of the eligibility criteria. Results: Out of a total of 168 studies, 85 studies were kept for further analysis after removing the duplicates. A further independent screening based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria resulted in the withdrawal of 51 studies that were not further considered for our analysis. Finally, 32 studies were left, which were critically reviewed. Out of 32 accepted studies, 10 studies demonstrated the effectiveness of the electrocardiogram (ECG) in monitoring and managing remote patients with heart failure, early diagnosis, and postoperative screening. In 15 studies, telespirometry was found to be effective in diagnosing and ruling out diseases, detecting lung abnormalities, and managing patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma. Seven studies reported that telenephrology was effective, precise, accurate, and usable by non-medical personnel and that it reduced sample analysis times and procedures in laboratories. Conclusion: using new technologies such as high-speed internet, video conferencing, and digital examination, personnel are able to make the necessary tests and perform virtual medical examination on board ships with necessary training.
Highlights
Telemedicine is the delivery of medical services over distance through information and communication technologies [1]
As a result of telemedicine, we proposed the necessary medical examinations/tests with screening intervals to be included in the pre-employment medical examination (PEME) protocols
Equipment Telemedicine devices Telemedical devices Telemedical devices Telemedicine devices. This narrative review has highlighted how telemedicine and devices for the detection of body parameters in the medical field are extensively practiced in many specialties of modern medicine
Summary
Telemedicine is the delivery of medical services over distance through information and communication technologies [1]. Seafarers exhibit high mortality and morbidity when compared with workers onshore for both the deck and machine sectors [9] They are prone to unhealthy lifestyles, such as smoking and unhealthy diets [10]. Telemedicine has proven effective by providing advice, diagnosis, and treatment to seafarers during emergency medical events onboard ships. It has not yet been applied for pre-employment medical examinations and follow-up visits on board ships. Objective: This review aimed to assess the possibility of using telemedicine during periodic visits between one pre-employment medical examination and others on board ships, and to recommend necessary medical examination tests with screening intervals for seafarers. Conclusion: using new technologies such as high-speed internet, video conferencing, and digital examination, personnel are able to make the necessary tests and perform virtual medical examination on board ships with necessary training
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