Definition of "Telemedicine"

HealthFuturesDigest

Newbie

Posts: 1

« on: October 29, 2009, 01:22:30 PM »

I was wondering what people's thoughts were here on what they believe is the best way to define the words "telemedicine".

Some people look to the dictonary term to describe:

The use of telecommunications technology to provide, enhance, or expedite health care services, as by accessing off-site databases, linking clinics or physicians' offices to central hospitals, or transmitting x-rays or other diagnostic images for examination at another site. (Houghton Mifflin)

While others nowadays are more and more defining it using new used technology applications such as social media outlets (Twitter, Facebook, live web video chat, etc) as examples for it.

With hospitals/health systems/doctors struggling a bit looking for additional telemed funding from government, it's even harder to help define what the actual words "telemedicine" really mean.

Any thoughts?


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rilescat

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Jr. Member

Posts: 97

Re: Definition of "Telemedicine"

« Reply #1 on: October 30, 2009, 06:58:59 AM »

I really try to boil it down to simplest terms. I would say "telemedicine" is any type of clinical service that allows for the patient and provider to be in two physically different locations.

In my mind, telephone, video conferencing, social media, telepresence, teleservice, and everything else is "telemedicine".

I think if it is defined broader than that you run the risk of "defining" where telemedicine takes place and where it can't. That would reduce payers options, force providers into smaller toolsets for providing care, and really stifle innovation of care.


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Steve Hards

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Posts: 1

Re: Definition of "Telemedicine"

« Reply #2 on: October 30, 2009, 08:09:09 AM »

@ Rrilescat: That's a wonderfully broad definition and, it seems to me, would only exclude informal patient-patient support (e.g. on internet forums).

The trouble with broad definitions is that they become relatively meaningless, because you always have to sub-define what it is you are referring to in any particular case.

Steve
http://www.telecareaware.com


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rilescat

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Posts: 97

Re: Definition of "Telemedicine"

« Reply #3 on: October 30, 2009, 02:13:05 PM »

But isn't that the idea? Telehealth is as broad as saying "outpatient care". Subdiving is necessary for the types of systems or delivery mechanisms that would be used.

??


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jelloevancho

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Posts: 1

Re: Definition of "Telemedicine"

« Reply #4 on: September 06, 2011, 04:51:12 AM »

It is said that Telemedicine is the practice of medicine when the doctor and patient are widely separated using two-way voice and visual communication.


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erikhudson

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Posts: 3

Re: Definition of "Telemedicine"

« Reply #5 on: February 04, 2012, 03:20:46 AM »

I read and its really great and should be implemented right away.


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