Telemedicine and the Reinvention of Healthcare

At last a comprehensive, easy-to-read book that explains telemedicine in understandable terms for the practitioners and consumers whose lives will be transformed by the convergence of computers and telecommunications in healthcare. If you need to understand telemedicine but get lost in the technical jargon of existing references, this is the resource for you.Beginning with a practical and future-oriented definition of telemedicine, the authors include dozens of leading-edge examples of telemedicine in practice to illustrate the diversity of this technology. Biographical sketches of telemedicine's pioneers are also presented to demonstrate the vitality and vision of health professionals who are leading the revolution.Major topics include: -- A look back from the virtual future to see what happened to healthcare over the next two decades-- Data and information technology -- the implementation of evidence-based medicine and the surprising future of managed care-- Clinical revolutions -- a review of signs that foretell the coming paradigm shift in healthcare-- History of telemedicine -- explorations of where we've been to show where we are likely to go-- Introduction to telemedicine systems -- a layperson's overview of the components and networks of telemedicine-- Human interfaces -- helpful hints for managers, developers, and clinicians who are responsible for implementing telemedicine-- Law and policy issues -- discussion of payment, interstate licensure, quality, and other unanswered questionsTelemedicine and the Reinvention of Healthcare shows how telemedicine will change virtually every aspect of traditional relationships between patients, practitioners, and healthcare organizations. It's essential reading for anyone who wants to stay ahead of the curve in preparing for 21st century healthcare… (more)