Global Teleradiology - An Internet-Based Application for Optimization of Health Care Delivery Across Domestic and International Borders

Abstract:     
Teleradiology refers to the electronic transmission of radiological images, such as X-rays, Computed Tomograms (CT's), and Magnetic Resonance Images (MRI's) across geographical locations for the purposes of interpretation and consultation. The digital radiological images are typically transmitted using standard telephone lines, satellite connections, or wide area networks (WANs). Teleradiology is an empowering technology and a facilitator for enhanced medical care. Teleradiology enables a single radiologist to simultaneously provide services to several hospitals independent of their location and also allows the exploitation of global time differences to provide emergency night coverage by personnel in a different time zone working a day shift. Additionally, the quality of care delivered by a wide awake, alert physician working a day shift is far superior to that provided by a radiologist who is up all night. Subspecialty opinions delivered to locations where the expertise is otherwise unavailable are an added benefit. In this paper, we describe the current state-of-art in teleradiology, the benefits of the clinical practice of teleradiology, and the technical, regulatory and security issues related to teleradiology. We begin by providing a historical background describing the evolution of global teleradiology.

Keywords: Internet, Health Care

Working Paper Series