Telemedicine: A Mini Review

Abstract

India is the largest democratic country in the world, with over 1.2 billion population. It has a diverse, multilingual, and a multiethnic society. Affordable healthcare to all has been one of the biggest challenges India faces today. According to the 2015 report by UNICEF, there has been slow but steady progress in India over the last two decades as reflected by the improvement in common healthcare indicators. The development of telemedicine started with the invention of the telecommunications infrastructure, including the telephone and telegraph. Initially telemedicine technology was used in military situations during the Civil War, such as ordering medical supplies or medical consultations. Critical care/services lists were also communicated via telegraph. The advantages of telemedicine: Telemedicine allows providers to encourage their patients' healthy lifestyle choices, such as smoking cessation, Reduce the cost of treatment and Reduce the rate of mortality rate.