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Virtual Fracture Clinic Model in India: A Technological Innovation

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Indian Journal of Orthopaedics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Background

Virtual Fracture Clinics (VFCs) are an alternative to the conventional model of fracture and minor injuries care. It is a new, evolving service designed to speed up patient access to orthopaedic care introduced in the United Kingdom in 2011 and has been increasingly used in the management of certain musculoskeletal injuries.

Methods

This observational, pilot study evaluates the possibility of combining telemedicine technology and a virtual fracture clinical assessment pathway to remotely assess patients supported by radiology imaging in India.

Results

Piloting and developing a virtual fracture clinical assessment pathway model in India is faced with many challenges including regulations, internet, and data connectivity issues, and concerns of medico-legal implications.

Conclusion

Recent studies have reported Virtual Fracture Clinics (VFCs) to be able to provide a safe, cost-effective model of patient care in a subset of musculoskeletal injuries. Limitations and shortcomings of Virtual Fracture Clinics (VFCs) in India can be mitigated with effective communication, enhanced documentation, appropriate training, and information governance. This pathway is not a replacement for conventional ‘face-to-face’ evaluation but a credible option to complement the delivery of trauma and orthopaedic care in the future in India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Southport and Ormskirk NHS Trust, Southport, PR8 6PN, UK

    Karthikeyan P. Iyengar

  2. Department of Orthopaedics, Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences, Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, 110001, India

    Vijay Kumar Jain

  3. Department of Orthopaedics, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Bhubaneswar, 751019, Odisha, India

    Arulkumar Nallakumarasamy

  4. Department of Orthopaedics, Faculty of Medicine-Sri Lalithambigai Medical College and Hospital, Dr MGR Educational and Research Institute, Chennai, 600095, Tamil Nadu, India

    Madhan Jeyaraman

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  1. Karthikeyan P. Iyengar
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  2. Vijay Kumar Jain
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  3. Arulkumar Nallakumarasamy
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  4. Madhan Jeyaraman
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Correspondence to Madhan Jeyaraman.

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Iyengar, K.P., Jain, V.K., Nallakumarasamy, A. et al. Virtual Fracture Clinic Model in India: A Technological Innovation. JOIO 57, 1–6 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-022-00763-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43465-022-00763-9

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