Telemedicine. Present applications and future prospects

Telemedicine to support the elderly in the UK

The latest developments in information and communication technology offer opportunities for the use and development of telemedicine in a number of medical specialities, as well as in other health and social care provision. This paper summarizes past developments in the discipline and pertinent telemedicine trial projects, as well as explaining the underlying technology. It suggests different approaches to healthcare provision in care of the elderly. Further research in the provision of telemedicine and telecare to benefit both the healthcare providers and the ageing population is suggested. Both information technology and healthcare professionals should ensure that the technology development is solution-driven rather than technology-driven.

Advances in camera, video, and imaging technologies in laparoscopy

The introduction of technological advances, such as HDTV, three-dimensional laparoscopy, and further miniaturization of high-resolution digital video cameras, will allow significantly enhanced opportunities for laparoscopic surgical proficiency and further broadening of laparoscopic applications in urology. These enhancements, coupled with the recent advances in telemedicine and surgical simulation, will improve laparoscopic training and skill acquisition, decrease operative times and costs, minimize morbidity, and improve overall patient care.

Telemedicine: recent developments and future applications

Telemedicine, or the delivery of health care from a distance, is an exciting field that has undergone rapid advancements over the past three decades. Previous studies have demonstrated that telemedicine can effectively assist in patient care. However, cost issues and the lack of resources to sustain telemedicine systems have previously limited the use of this technology. Herein, we explore the development, current applications, and future of telemedicine.

Renal surgery in the new millennium

In the not too distant future, the minimally invasive renal surgeon will be able to practice an operation on a difficult case on a three-dimensional virtual reality simulator, providing all attributes of the real procedure. The patient's imaging studies will be imported into the simulator to better mimic particular anatomy. When confident enough of his or her skills, the surgeon will start operating on the patient using the same virtual reality simulator/telepresence surgery console system, which will permit the live surgery to be conducted by robots hundreds of miles away. The robots will manipulate miniature endoscopes or control minimally or noninvasive ablative technologies. Endoscopic/laparoscopic footage of the surgical procedure will be stored digitally in optical disks to be used later in telementoring of a surgery resident. All this and more will be possible in the not so distant third millennium.

Telemedicine applications in primary care: a geriatric patient pilot project

OBJECTIVE

To determine patient satisfaction with telemedicine technology.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

In this pilot study, 20 generally healthy elderly residents (mean age, 77.3 years) of a Florida retirement community consulted weekly by "Electronic House Call" with a primary care physician to record their vital signs and discuss their condition. At the end of the 8-week study period, they were asked to complete a survey indicating their satisfaction with the telemedicine experience.

RESULTS

Eighteen of the 20 participants completed the survey. Eleven respondents (61%) reported they were comfortable using the computer system without assistance. Most (13/18; 72%) believed the computer system correctly recorded vital signs. Almost all (17/18; 94%) reported the computer system did not have a negative impact on their relationship with their primary health care provider, and 11 (61%) thought that the system had a positive effect.

CONCLUSIONS

The participants in this small pilot study were pleased with the experience they had with telemedicine. Large-scale studies are needed to determine the widespread utility of telemedicine technology.