GROUP 03 | SSG 208 |

AN EMERGING TECHNOLGY
OF THE 21TH CENTURY

TELEMEDICINE

Telemedicine is defined by the telemedicine information exchange (1997)1 as the use of

electronic signals to transfer medical data( photographs, x-rays images , audio, patient
record, video conferences, etc.) from one site to another via the internet, intranet, PCs,
satellite or video conferencing telephone equipment in order to improve access to
healthcare.
Telemedicine began in the early 1960s when the National Aeronautic and Space
Administration (NASA) first carried out manned exploration of the outer space.
Physiological measurements of the astronauts were telemeter from both the spacecraft
and the space suits during NASA space flights. These early effort were enhanced by the
development of satellite technology which for-steered the development of telemedicine.
In developed and developing countries telemedicine offers a reduced cost solution to
delivering remote care when and where it is needed without the building and staffing
added facilities. Telemedicine allows local practitioners to consult with their peers and
with clinical experts when needed. Telemedicine further allows them to participate in
grand rounds and education opportunities they would not normally have access to
without travel and time away from their patients. Telemedicine offer services like
primary care and specialist referral services, remote patient monitoring, consumer
medical and health information, medical education. These services is achieved through
networked programs, point to point connections using private high speed network,
monitoring center links, web based e-health patient services etc.2
Telemedicine is beneficial to patients living in isolated communities and remote regions
who can receive care from doctors or specialist far away without the patients having to
travel to visit them. Tele medication facilitates medical education by allowing workers to
observe experts in their field and share best practice.3
There is a high risk of error in administering health care through telemedicine as these is
done without the physical present of a registered professional. Private information
relating to health cases may also be compromised due to failure of storage and
transferring devices.4
We can safely assume that developments in mobile communications, sensor devices
and nanotechnology will alter the way that health care is delivered in the future. The
growth and integration of information and communication technologies into health-care
delivery holds great potential for patients, providers and payers in health systems of the
future. Perhaps the most difficult question to answer, however, is 'When will telemedicine
become part of the standard of care.5

REFRENCES
1.
2.
3.

http://in.st.usm.edu/~w146169/teleweb/telemed.htm (17/09/14 ) UP TELEMEDICINE NETWORK

http://www.americantelemed.org/about-telemedicine/what-is-telemedicine (17/09/14) THE AMERICAN
TELEMEDICATION ASSOCIATION (ATA).
(4,5) http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/telemedicine (17/09/14) TELEMEDICINE (FROM WIKIPEDIA.ORG)

GROUP MEMBERS
PAGE 1

NAME

DEPARTMENT

MATRIC NO

IBEKWE CHIDERA

SYSTEMS

120407022

KAYODE EMMANUEL

SYSTEMS

120407025

ANIMASHAUN MUBARAK 0.

SYSTEMS

130407042

OLAYINKA FEHINTOLA

MECHANICAL

130404047

EKENEM SAMUEL

MECHANICAL

120404038

OKOEBOR LOUIS

MECHANICAL

130404032

ONYEANWUSI GODWIN

MECHANICAL

130404079

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