The development of a pilot telemedicine network in Scotland: lessons learned

A pilot telemedicine network was established in 11 sites using funding prov ided by the Department of Trade and Industry in the UK. The main purpose of the project was to develop and evaluate clinical and educational links bet ween central and peripheral sites in Scotland, The results were very encour aging, and clinical services were established in accident and emergency med icine, tele-ultrasound and clinical psychology. An undergraduate medical te aching service was also successfully established. All of these services are to be continued after the completion of the project. Many lessons were lea rned during the establishment of this network which will be useful in futur e projects. These included the importance of training for telemedicine user s, the importance of identifying a telemedicine champion, the pitfall of he alth economics and the fact that services must be needs driven.