Akamai Network for Diagnosis, Treatment and Management to Support Telepresence

摘要

The expansion applications of telemedicine are being effectively employed in numerous disciplines from acute care to care of the chronically ill. Critical technological, security and clinical issues must be addressed according to each application's requirements. A pilot study has been underway to examine the impact of home telemedicine for insulin-dependant diabetic patients. Our initial results are very positive, and we plan to increase the number of patients on-line to approximately 30. Needs assessments for telemedicine is an essential incipient step, and such a methodology has been applied to the telemedicine project or the State Department and a hospice center. We continue to lead the teleradiology applications for deployed environments. Security, a serious concern in the transfer of any electronic data, is being addressed through technological and organizational approaches. Simulation of medical procedures will have a profound impact in the future, especially if controlled remotely. We have initiated prostate biopsy, spine surgery and palpation simulation capabilities that can be remotely controlled for eventual applications of invasive telemedicine. The following manuscripts provide in depth accounts of our progress in telemedicine in 1998.