Telemedical Activity in the United Kingdon: A Review and Assessment.   Since 1990 there has been a rise in activity in telemedicine in the UK and other countries.  This project was undertaken to review the activity, identify the key isues surrounding the future development of telemedicine and make recommendations.  The study was funded in part by a grant from the R+D Division of the Department of Health and their support is gratefully acknowledged.

The survey was conducted by researchers from LSU College, University of Southampton and consisted of structured interviews with academic and medical staff involved in the field.  Use was made of other means like the Internet to make contacts with interested parties.  The term telemedicine is used when referring to a number of applications of information and communication technology (ICT) to medicine.  Some of these, like teleradiology or 3D simulation software, are advanced information management techniques and, although extremely valuable in contributing to improved healthcare, are not telemedicine.  As a result of this study we reserve the term telemedicine for "remote, telematic healthcare" which involves patients more closely in their healthcare process.  

The study found that the telemedical activity in the UK (which consists of 24 projects distributed around the UK) is unco-ordinated, has been applied in only eight clinical areas, and that there are no comparative studies and few cost-effectiveness studies.  Nevertheless, telemedicine  has demonstrated a lot of potential and institutions are planning further work.  Companies are also about to offer telemedical services into the UK.  There is a commercial opportunity for the sale of telemedical services (including educational services) overseas.

The development of telemedicine in the UK, and that means the application of telemedicine to mainstream medicine, will not take place until the key issues are addressed.  These are largely organisational but also to do with integrating telemedicine into healthcare policy and strategy.  This study concludes with suggestions for further work by the Department of Health to monitor and co-ordinate activity, to guide the development of telemedical activity and to lead the commercial exploitation of telemedicine.

The challenge that confronts the NHS today is how to develop a comprehensive understanding of telemedicine and the issues surrrounding its introduction so as to allow its beneficial use in years to come.