The Advantages of Telemedicine

The Disadvantages of Telemedicine

Types of Telemedicine

• Telepathology
• Teledermatology
• Teleradiology
• Primary Care 

Links to Other Telemedicine Sites
 

Telemedicine, in today’s health care, is most often associated with primary care.  Basically, primary care is the, “basic level of healthcare that includes programs directed at the promotion of health, early diagnosis of disease or disability, and the prevention of disease.”  (Telemedicine: Theory and Practice)

 Often times, rural areas have a difficulty in attracting physicians to practice in their area.  This may be due to a number of reasons, some being the lower incomes, dispersed population, lower insurance levels, and lower reimbursement rates.  However, if telemedicine can be implemented in rural and underserved areas, it can be extremely beneficial.  Firstly, it can reduce professional isolation, provide medical education, improve contact with research facilities, increase continuity of patient care, and increase the physician’s income.  This can be accomplished by video consultations.  Secondly, telemedicine can increase the percentage of patients that can be treated at local community hospitals instead of being transported to urban hospitals.  Therefore, rural medical care is stabilized and the income of rural physicians can increase.  Finally, this technology allows for mid- level practitioners (Physician Assistants, Nurse Practitioners, etc.) to provide primary care, reducing the need for general practitioners.
 Even though there are many advantages to implement telemedicine in rural areas, there are also many constraints as well.  One of the most common problems is that telemedicine is not effective in all cases, and it must be successful and efficient in all examinations to decrease the need for physicians.  Cost is another great concern.  Prices for the equipment can easily exceed $100,000 and installation, maintenance, and transmission costs still remain high.  As a result, small rural hospitals, places where telemedicine should benefit the most, can not even afford the high costs of telemedicine.

 Despite these constraints, telemedicine and primary care will continue to thrive and improve the health care system in the United States.