Abstract

Telemedicine is an application of information technology in relation to patient health care, treatment, education, research, administration and the public health. It forms a potential bridge between the patient and doctor which ages a century with a good development in its growth. In developing countries like India with more than 60% of population living in rural areas with poor medical facilities, telemedicine can fill the gap and provide the timely care, appropriate treatment and medical assistance with less expense in relation to time and money. Telemedicine also helps in maintenance of electronic health records, remote monitoring of the cases, recording and reporting of adverse drug reactions, continued medical education programs and training programs to health care providers. Telemedicine can be practiced by store and forward method, interactive services, remote monitoring and by telepharmacy practises with the help of internet. The telemedicine system practice adapted more rampantly would help in easy flow and better health care delivery system to the remotest places in rural setups to save the lives, time and cost of the suffering. Perhaps the slogan “Health for all by 2000” which was forgotten towards the end of last century, can still be achieved by the year 2020 by making the telemedicine revolution happen in India.

Key words: Continued Medical Education; Remote Health Care; Telemedicine; Telepharmacy