FAQ

What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is the use of electronic communication and information technologies to provide health care when distance separates the medical professional from the patient. It also includes educational and administrative uses of these technologies in the support of health care, such as distance learning and administrative videoconferencing.

What is the difference between telemedicine and telehealth?

The underlying concept of telemedicine has traditionally described the use of technology to provide clinical medical services when the healthcare provider and patient are separated by geographic distance. In recent years, the term telehealth has risen as a favorable expansion upon telemedicine. Telehealth not only includes clinical services but also non-clinical medical services such as education, research, and administrative functions.

What technologies are used in telemedicine?

Two different kinds of technology make up most of the telemedicine applications: - Store-and-forward (used for transferring digital images from one location to another) - Two-way interactive television (IATV)

How is telemedicine delivered?

Telemedicine primarily uses videoconferencing equipment. This is an interactive technology and enables patients and health care providers at distant sites to interact “face-to-face”. Technological advances now allow for these interactions to occur using a desktop computer

How can the network be used?

The network is being used to provide patient care, continuing education for health professionals and patients, business and administrative meeting

What clinical services are being offered?

Clinical services offered through Sanjeevani include patient exams, patient consultations and followup exams. All patient exams are confidential and are done over a secure network.

What is DICOM? Where can I get more information?

Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine is an industry standard for connection of, and communication among, medical imaging devices. Information is available at The DICOM FAQ at Penn State

Is the equipment difficult to use?

No, the equipment is actually quite user-friendly and simple to use. Users receive training on the use of the equipment before their first conference. A telemedicine staff person is on hand at all times during a conference for any problems or questions.

What do patients think of this technology?

Patients have been very satisfied with the care they have received using telemedicine. Positive factors cited by patients include saving travel time and expense, increased access to specialty services and increased attention by their primary care provider.

What do providers, both rural and urban, think of this technology?

Providers have often been initially hesitant to use this technology for patient care. However, most are quite pleased with it once they have used it and realize the quality and ease of the interaction.

What ancillary medical equipment is available for use?

Medical peripheral devices, such as stethoscopes, spirometer hand-held patient cameras for close-up views, are available at each of our rural network sites. Medical peripheral devices are not currently available at other state videoconference sites.

What kinds of audio-visual devices can I use to present a talk?

Slide presentations computer-based can be projected. Paper documents can also be projected, a document stand similar to an overhead projector. Videos may be shown, as well however, they don’t transmit very well.