If you think telemedicine is watching Grey's Anatomy, House or ER on TV, you are in for a surprise.
In fact, telemedicine takes place every day, across wires, or wireless, through a video conference system, the Internet, or even by telephone and fax. It is the process of sharing information about a patient or medical information between two locations electronically.
That exchange of information can take place in real time (called synchronous) or information can be forwarded and analyzed at a later time (asynchronous.)
A good example takes place between a small, rural hospital and a larger, city hospital that has better equipment and subspecialists to make diagnostic, management or treatment decisions for a patient who is located in the more remote, rural hospital. The health personnel in the rural hospital can share everything from blood draws, to X-rays to other information about their patient. The doctor at the other end of the video or audio sharing can analyze the tests, talk to the patient or the doctor who is with the patient, and work together to make decisions.
In extreme cases, surgery can even take place. Emergencies can be handled in real time between the two locations which usually have specialized equipment. That equipment may include a surgical robot which can be set up to attend to the remotely located patient, while the surgeon (who may be thousands of miles away!) can move the robotic arm and fingers to operate on the patient.
Telemedicine has several advantages. In recent years, it has been difficult to find enough doctors, especially in rural areas. Connections with other professionals can extend the reach of the doctors. Further, in life-threatening emergencies, the availability of telemedical hook-ups can provide life-saving treatment before the patient arrives wherever the specialist needed is located.
