Fundamentals of Telemedicine and Telehealth

Fundamentals of Telemedicine and Telehealth provides an overview on the use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) to solve health problems, especially for people living in remote and underserviced areas. With the advent of new technologies and improvement of internet connectivity, telehealth has become a new subject requiring a new understanding of IT devices and how to utilize them to fulfill health needs. The book discusses topics such as digitizing patient information, technology requirements, existing resources, planning for telehealth projects, and primary care and specialized applications. Additionally, it discusses the use of telemedicine for patient empowerment and telecare in remote locations.

Authored by IMIA Telehealth working group, this book is a valuable source for graduate students, healthcare workers, researchers and clinicians interested in using telehealth as part of their practice or research.

Presents components of healthcare that can be benefitted from remote access and when to rely on themExplains the current technologies and tools and how to put them to effective use in daily healthcareProvides legal provisions for telehealth implementation, discussing the risks of remote healthcare provision and cross border care

Section I: Telecare Basics 1. Overview 2. Rationale, History, and Basics of Telehealth 3. Management of Patient Healthcare Information—Healthcare-Related 4. Technology Considerations

Section II: Working Together for Health 5. Platforms for Collaborative Process 6. Patient-Centered Care 7. Maintaining and Sustaining a Telehealth-Based Ecosystem 8. Teleeducation

Section III: Telemedicine 9. Telesupport for the Primary Care Practitioner 10. Telecare within Different Specialties 11. Telecare During Travel and for Special Locations 12. Mobile Health (mHealth)

Section IV: Issues and Future of Telehealth 13. Telemedicine: Medicolegal, Ethical, and Regulatory Issues 14. Disruptive Technologies: Present and Future 15. Worldwide Initiatives