Teleoncology in the Department of Defense: A tale of two systems

Two telemedicine networks were developed for the purpose of conducting mult idisciplinary oncology ("teleoncology") conferences. The infrastructure of each system differed: one system was Internet-based; the other was delivere d via Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) lines. The purpose of this study was to describe the infrastructure and cost, consultative process, t echnical aspects, and conference format of the two teleoncology programs. T he two systems' technical aspects, participant satisfaction with the system s, and conference participation were compared qualitatively. Assessment of the technical aspects of the systems suggested that each had distinct advan tages. Survey results indicated that provider satisfaction with the technic al and logistical aspects of each type of teleoncology conference was high. The present study may prove helpful for individuals who are considering im plementing their own teleoncology programs.