Page 35 - Part 1 Introduction to Telemedicine

SVMIC Introduction to Telemedicine

Alexander Graham Bell in 1876 on viewing the telephone for the

first time:

“That’s an amazing invention, but who

19
would ever want to use one of them?”

It is important that both patient and providers understand the

capabilities and limitations of the platforms for electronic
communication.

Live, Real-Time (Synchronous) Audio/Video Recording

This can operate between high-end, institutional teleconferencing

systems, desktop computers, laptops, tablets or smartphones. All
that’s needed are a camera, microphone and conferencing

software. It can be between two locations or multiple and often
allows a recording to be made and screenshots to be taken.

Typically, there is also a second channel for exchanging text

messages or documents. Sharing of screens can allow real-time
remote viewing of content from either device (such as X-rays,

monitor strips or images from attached cameras or instruments).
The connections for all participants need to have enough speed

and bandwidth to allow smooth transmission at acceptable screen

resolutions. Video conferencing is the platform classically
associated with telemedicine. More sophisticated data streams,

such as feeds from operating room or ICU equipment, are
becoming increasingly available.

19 Elon University School of Communications. Imagining the Internet. http://www.elon.edu/e-
web/predictions/150/1870.xhtml [6/24/18]

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