Telemedicine and Mobile

Telemedicine Systems

Vikas Singh
12/12/06

Telemedicine

The use of advanced telecommunication

and information technologies to exchange
health information and provide health
care services across geographic, time,
social and cultural barriers
It includes both, the clinical (diagnosis,
treatment and medical records) and
academic medicine (research, education
and training).

The Goals of Telemedicine Systems

Increase the accessibility of and to professional

caregivers
Increase the quality and continuity of care to
patients
Increase the focus on preventive medicine
through early intervention
Reduce the overall cost of healthcare
For education and training
For providing services to remote areas in case of
natural calamities, disasters and military and
space operations.
Remote monitoring

Primary Delivery Methods

Real time telemedicine

(synchronous) or Two way
interactive television (IATV)
Used in psychiatry, internal medicine,
rehabilitation, cardiology, pediatrics,
obstetrics and gynecology, neurology
Store and Forward
Most commonly used in radiology,
pathology and dermatology

Telemedicine Categories

Telehome Home Health Care

Telepsychiatry
Teleradiology
General Telemedicine
Telecardiology
Telemedicine Consulting
Teledermatology
Emergency Telemedicine
Telepathology
Teledentistry
Telesurgery

Telemedicine Structure

Biosignal Acquisition Module: for biosignal

acquisition through sensors and
peripheral devices
Digital Camera: for digital image or video
capturing
Processing Unit: comprised of computers
of varying complexity
Communication Module: GSM, satellite,
POTS modem, Internet, WAN, PAN, etc.

Mobile Telemedicine Systems

Drivers
rapid advances in wireless, and network
technologies
advances in communication and medical
technologies
The pervasiveness, cost effectiveness and
availability of mobile phones (GSM and 3g
networks)
Availability and cost effectiveness of
satellite communications

Mobile Telemedicine Systems

Source: Ackerman, et al. Telemedicine Technology

Why use wireless technologies

Relatively cheap
Present everywhere
Extremely popular with general public
Can reach virtually everywhere
Growth in wireless and cellular technologies
To improve access, continuity and quality of care
Can be used for provision of health care services
in rural areas, ambulance vehicles, ships, trains,
airplanes, home monitoring and long term care

Wireless Technologies used in Mobile

Telemedicine

GSM cellular phone networks 2g, 2.5g

and 3g networks, Bluetooth and RF
technologies
PDAs
Satellite Systems
WLAN
WiMAX
Home/Personal/Body Area Networks
Mobile ad-hoc networks or MANETs

Information flow of the mobile

telemedicine system

Source: Xiao et al.

System Design

Source: Husni, et al., & Jones et al.

Areas of use of mobile telemedicine

Ambulatory and emergency care

Home health care
Long term care
For provision of health care services
in rural areas, ambulance vehicles,
ships, trains & airplanes.
In all the other categories of
telemedicine

Use in emergency care and home

monitoring

Source: Mandellos, et al.

Source: Jasemian and Nielsen

Findings of its use in emergency

services

The system did not intrude into the

privacy of the patients or the
paramedics
It was easy to use
It was adequate for conducting
clinical examination
It conveyed critical clinical
information

Barriers

Technological
Infrastructure planning and
development
Telecommunication regulations
Reimbursement
Licensing and credentialing
Medical malpractice liability
Confidentiality

Conclusion

Makes specialty care more accessible to

rural and medically underserved areas
Improves communication between
providers
Educational to remote and consulting
practitioners
High patient and provider satisfaction
Keeps local healthcare dollars in local
community
Possibly improves process of care and
quality of care

Conclusion

Reduced overall cost of healthcare

Telemedicine distance learning programmes can
address healthcare professional shortage
However the study, development and use of
telemedicine is still emerging with the advent of
new technologies (medical and information)
There are several barriers that needs to be
removed to make telemedicine a model for
Pervasive Healthcare and fulfill WHOs goal of
Health For All by the year 2010.