Tele-radiology and its advancement of medicine in third world countries



Tele-radiology and its advancement of medicine in third world countries

Introduction

Telemedicine is an innovative medical technology that is described as a form of providing health care services to citizens using innovative telecommunication tools. In general, this advanced technology is used with the aim of removing all the barriers that were depriving patients of quality health care services, and improving the health environment of the citizens. This innovative technique comprises of several unique feature which include curing patients through video conferencing, observing patients problems using still images, continuous monitoring of patients health condition using computerized technology, continuous improvement in medical education, and transformation of health care call center (Burute & Jankharia, 2009).

The simplest example of using telemedicine is transferring of medical information using telephone, or communication, however, its professional implication is more complex and require presence of all the aspects of this technology, and this feature is lacking in various under develop and third world countries (Hein, 2009). Since its inception, several scholars have researched on its development but no one has been able to discover the historical perception of this technology. Historically telemedicine was introduced during the period of world war, but progressive development in this field was started in the late 1980s.

Several factors such as advancement of telecommunication sector, introduction of digital communications and several others has played a vital role in rapid growth of telemedicine. In addition to this, since its inauguration this technology is mainly used in mental, cardiology, and orthopedics, and most importantly Tele-radiology is the most widely used instrument of telemedicine (Popov et al, 2007).

Discussion

Tele-radiology

Tele-radiology the widely used form of telemedicine is explained as the use of communicational technology within the current practice of Dermatology to enhance the health care services (William et al, 2005). Tele-radiology is widely used because of its excellent visual quality, and its popularity has immensely increased since its incorporation. Popularity of Tele-radiology has not only increased in United States of American but also in various others developed countries for instance in UK, Australia, and others. However, when we look at the use of Tele-radiology in third world country it is observed that this technology is not implemented by most of these nations because of diversified reasons (Matusitz & Breen, 2007). For this report, the focus was the implementation of Tele-radiology in India, and during the course of research, and information gathered through various other sources it was observed that Tele-radiology technology is used only in few major clinics of the country.

Generally, this technology is used to provide health care services in situation where there is inadequate access of dermatologist; however, usage of this technology does not mean to decrease the values and importance of face-to-face treatment. For example in United States of America Tele-radiology, gain popularity during the shortage of experienced dermatologists particularly in the rural areas of the country. Similar situation is observed in India where there is lack of experienced dermatologist, people with severe skin disease were treated by ...