Wai Hoe Ng^1,2, Ernest Wang¹, Ivan Ng¹ and Mark Bernstein²

¹Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Singapore. ²Division of Neurosurgery, Toronto Western Hospital.

Abstract

Teleradiology involving the transfer of vital patient information such as scan images is an important technology to facilitate effective and efficient provision of neurosurgical care in the setting of scarce resources and geographic isolation. We review the implementation of teleradiology initiatives in the small city state of Singapore and its potential and need in the large province of Ontario and draw parallels in their strategic implementation. Although it may seem intuitive that teleradiology has greater applications in regions of vast geographical size, the technology has universal usefulness if applied appropriately in any neurosurgical or health care system.