Telemedicine Myths

The executive director of the American Telemedicine Association, John Linkous, posted a list of telemedicine myths. Two caught my eye:

Telemedicine is all about video conferencing and, therefore, requires broadband. There are many critical needs and uses of video conferencing in telemedicine. But a live image is not always needed. Two of the most common applications in telemedicine: remote monitoring and teleradiology rely primarily on sending still images and data and don’t require live video. Medical images may need high speed lines but typically not two way and not at the same speed as high-quality video. Furthermore, the required quality of the video image also varies. Sometimes, a simple video image from a video-phone may be enough depending on the use. Broadband is important but not for every telemedicine application.

Telemedicine can be a significant threat to patient privacy. Enough already with the privacy fears. Just like in the use of networks for banking, the use of telemedicine can provide a secure, efficient way to transmit medical information without compromising privacy. With the use of data encryption, information flowing over telecommunications lines can be just as private, or even more private, that paper-based records kept in doctors’ offices and hospitals.

The requirement of broadband is an interesting one. I found myself cringing slightly as I gave my presentation in Lafayette last week, and admitted under my breath that our box would work with 384 Kbs symmetrical, and that we had even had occasion to connect at 256Kbs. Not bad since we’re striving for full-motion video. Reading Dr Likous’ blog and the additional material from the ATA suggests that they are taking a catholic view of telemedicine technology. Although remote robotic surgery is the latest and sexiest manifestation of telemedicine… it can also embrace things like iPhone apps that count calories.