Teleradiology in Europe

The new concept of teleradiology is centered on the consideration that it i nvolves management of medical information rather than the simple transmissi on of diagnostic images from one location to another. Teleradiology must th erefore be able to contribute to the seamless integration of the digital en vironment in which medical data are managed throughout and beyond the hospi tal, generating value added services for the patients as well as prospertiv e economical benefits for the institution. In this perspective the evolutio n of telecommunication with the spectacular success of mobile telephony and Internet will play and increasingly important role. by allowing further de velopment in the exchange of multimedia medical information on a regional a s well as international level. However, new responsibilities are being give n to the radiologists, who must rake all necessary technical and organizati onal actions in order to avoid that the digital management of data may enda nger the confidentiality and the integrity of patients' data. (C) 2000 Else vier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.