| Abstract: | Summary. The implementation of telemedicine is spreading throughout the government and commercial sectors. Telemedicine is being implemented in an effort to contain costs and capture all medically related business in a given catchment area. Telemedicine and off-the-shelf DICOM teleradiology systems can allow for patient images and demographic data to be transmitted electronically over telecommunications lines from satellite clinics to medical centres. The technology allows virtual centres of excellence to be extended to the medical community which provide the expertise and training of physicians to remote sites, while realizing cost savings. The technology to implement telemedicine is available today but it can be very costly if the business case for the system is not carefully evaluated and executed. The decision to implement a telemedicine system must be based upon the business case which supports expenditures by realizing cost savings through prudent selection of technology and medical business practices. |
