Definition
Telemedicine is described1 as “the practice of medicine when the doctor
and patient are widely separated using two-way voice and visual
communication (as by satellite, computer, or closed-circuit television)”.
Possibly a more pertinent definition for the out of hospital environment
would be :The out of hospital responder having the ability to consult with a remote,
more qualified person, regarding patient assessment and treatment.
However this definition is extremely broad and in reality does not
accurately define telemedicine in the out of hospital environment of today.
What we do need to understand is that telemedicine is a rapidly growing
field that affects nearly all aspects of medicine and out of hospital
healthcare as technology becomes more efficient and affordable2.