Types of Telemedicine

Real time (Synchronous) type and Store&Forward (Asynchronous) are the two types of telemedicine services. Real time telemedicine could be as simple as a telephone call or as complex as a robotic surgery. It requires the presence of both the parties at the same time and a communication link between them which allows a real time interaction. Video conferencing is a popular method used. Psychiatry, internal medicine and cardiology demands synchronous type telemedicine.

Store&Forward or asynchronous type of telemedicine involves acquiring medical data, such as  images and  biosignals as first step. These data are then transmitted to a medical specialist for assessment off line at a convenient time. Dermatology, Pathology and Radiology are common specialities in this type.

At KVM Multi speciality hospital, we have been rendering Primary Remote Diagnostic Visits, a new face in telemedicine. In this, a doctor residing in on location examines a patient at another remote location virtually, with the help of adequate equipment.

Teleradiology is another area where KVM Hospital rendering telemedicine services. Radiographic imagery such as X-ray images are send to the medical service centre by a transmission network in scanned format. These images are used for diagnosis. A telemedicine vehicle with state of the art technology for transmission by means of fibre optic network or microwave connectivity.

Telemedicine holds big promises in solving major health care delivery problems.