[telemedicine] British Medical Association Calls for Increased Use of Telemedicine

[Medical Informatics News]

The British Medical Association
has proposed greater use of telemedicine in rural*areas as one of a broad range of strategies*aimed at
improving healthcare in remote areas.

Citing examples from Scotland and the Falkland Islands, the report entitled Healthcare in a Rural
Setting, sees*telemedicine as giving “increased flexibility to healthcare service providers and allows them
to expand the scope and quality of services.”


The report cautions that*initial consultations still require face-to-face interaction, follow-up
consultations could*employ telecommunication.* The report also touts e-learning as a tool for health
professionals working in rural areas*to help*conquer the problem of distance between the practitioner and
continuing professional development.* The report*highlights some*downsides, including the gap between
expectations and what technology can provide as well as*the capital expense involved in e-learning.*



The report is available here.



http://telemedicine.weblogsinc.com/e...4000057029543/