Telemedicine is two-way, real-time interactive communication between a patient and healthcare provider at a distant site, supported by audio and video equipment and integrated medical devices. Advances in IT infrastructure, communication and connected medical devices are enabling clinicians to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients remotely.
Clinical Telemedicine operates on the premise that if the patient finds it difficult to travel to a physician then technology can bring the doctor to the patient. Unlike Direct to Consumer Telehealth services, clinical telemedicine provides the remote clinician with the data and evidence needed to make a differential diagnosis. The patient is in a clinic, hospital or doctor’s office, while the distant healthcare provider can be anywhere, connecting via WiFi, 3G/4G, or broadband. At the patient end, the same medical devices involved in an in-person examination are used to collect the vital signs, auscultations, medical images, as well as ECG/EKG and ultrasound studies.