A SURVEY OF RESEARCH IN TELEMEDICINE - 1 - TELEMEDICINE SYSTEMS

Published work in telemedicine has been surveyed in order to consider the range of current research, highlight some pitfalls and point out a reas where it seems that more work is required. This article deals wit h tests of the safety and efficacy of telemedicine systems. This work can be seen as moving through three phases: first, identify the techni cal specification of equipment required for the particular telemedicin e application; second, test that this is appropriate in particular set tings; third, establish a set of standards and guidelines to ensure th at the telemedicine system is used to the best advantage. Work in tele radiology seems to be in the second phase. Work in teledermatology, fo r example, is still in the first phase. Telemedicine is an important a nd growing area of academic research. The quality of the research ough t also to be increasing. While there have been a number of well design ed, robust studies with clear conclusions that show the value of telem edicine in certain settings, much more remains to be done.