Medical electronics: Coming: The era of telemedicine: Interactive audio/video telediagnosis is proven viable in both Government- and privately-funded experiments

A resident of a rural community, 100 miles from the nearest medical doctor or facility, suddenly begins to feel very ill. Traditionally, such a person has had to travel long distances to seek relief, often at great peril, not to speak of the expense involved. Telemedicine — the use of telecommunications to facilitate health-care delivery over large distances — is an attractive technology that promises to help solve this problem of geographic maldistribution of medical facilities and personnel.