General Information

What is telemedicine?

Telemedicine is the use of electronic communication and information technologies to provide health care when distance separates the medical professional from the patient. It also includes educational and administrative uses of these technologies in the support of health care, such as distance learning and administrative videoconferencing.

Where is telemedicine going in the future?

Telemedicine is part of the larger world of telehealth: the use of communications technology in health care. There is growing interest in using telehealthcare for disease management and prevention. Home healthcare and long-term care are both shaping up as areas which benefit from telemedicine. Emergency telemedicine is starting to be used on airline flights and cruises, and it is part of many military operations.

The future of telehealth depends less on technology than on politics. Funding of health care is tied to such areas as government programs, telecommunications law, and insurance reimbursement. The consumer is a key player in the future of telehealth. If people understand what telemedicine is, see it as having value, and insist that they have access to it, governments, employers, and insurance companies will make it feasible. Public awareness is essential.

You can find a list of some FAQ at the Association of Telehealth Service Providers (ATSP). The Telemedicine Information Exchange maintains current information on funding programs, and Vendors of telemedicine services and products. You can also search medical databases at MedScape. Find news and event at American Telemedicine Association (ATA)  The related links page contains other useful links to other web sites.