August 03, 2005
Telemedicine Industry Growth
This week, Forbes has a review of the telemedicine industry. The article highlights some examples of successful implementation and describes ways that telemedicine makes use of communication software, imaging tools, remote controlled video cameras and robots.
Forbes describes that the goal is to facilitate consultations between patients and specialists, and to provide assistance to patients in rural or remote areas. The systems are expensive, but widespread adoption should lower prices
It is believed that this industry is poised for growth and the American Telemedicine Association, points out that federal grants and contracts for telehealth totaled about $270 million in 2003. The Forbes article also points out that although most privately held telemedicine companies were launched for use in a hospital environment, they also could assist in terrorist attacks or other disasters. It is with this in mind that a Senate committee last month introduced the Improve Interoperable Communications for First Responders Act, which would authorize a five-year, $3.3 billion budget for telehealth initiatives and an extra $126 million for research
About the Interoperable Communications for First Responders Act of 2005 (ICOM Act)