Abstract

Telemedicine also denoted as telehealth and e-health, is the remote diagnosis and delivery of healthcare using telecommunications technology. This article presents a synopsis of some of the features associated with telemedicine including the training courses, the technology involved, the medical implications, and the underlying ethics. Telemedicine is medical care via the use of technology. It affords care to some who may not be in a position to see a doctor or a medical caregiver because they live remotely. The technology promotes medical care by allowing healthcare providers to share their diagnoses with other experts in the field. It is also used for recording and storing patient history and the transmission of scans such as x-rays and MRIs. Telemedicine has been touted as a mechanism to reduce outpatient visits and facilitate the filling of prescriptions (eVisit, 2017). With regard to patient satisfaction, statistics indicate that 75% are interested in having an evisit as opposed to an in-person visit with a physician. In addition, evisits increase the process by which patients move through a health care setting in the neighbourhood of 300%. This could improve the safety and quality of care. Prescriptions can be filled over the Internet provided they comply with state regulations and the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), a federal agency (eVisit, 2017). This approach to medicine can lower the overall costs of healthcare in general. This paper will provide an overview of several essential aspects of telemedicine.