Telemedicine Practice in Biomedical Engineering

Telemedicine Practice in Biomedical Engineering

The use of telemedicine in biomedical research is becoming widespread in order to effectively and efficiently treat people who are distant from immediate emergency medical care, and yet have access to the internet in some way shape or form. In this article, it notes how communication between rural areas, onboard ships at sea, or even ambulances in travel is necessary and yet difficult to achieve in an emergency situation. By using telemedicine, these locations will be able to contact a “base” doctor’s office or camp where they can be treated or diagnosed from afar. Biosignal monitors, as well as video capabilities are necessary so that all vital information is passed on to the specialist who is not physically there. After processing this information the base is able to search through a database of medical knowledge and give immediate advice on the patient’s previous health, and also what steps are immediately necessary to help them. I think that this article is interesting due to the fact that it drastically decreases response time in situations of need. There are many cases in which people are hindered in receiving immediate medical attention simply because they live in a rural area. With telemedicine, although a medical professional is not physically there to assist someone in need, they are able to give a fair amount of attention to the patient, and possibly give advice to save their life.

http://www.biomedical-engineering-online.com/content/2/1/7

Drew Bedgood