A Guide to Telemedicine: A Healthcare Revolution

What is telemedicine, and how is it going to transform healthcare as we know it? Here, we answer your biggest telemedicine questions and explain the impact the emerging field will have on the future of health and wellbeing.

Telemedicine is a collective term for all medical services that take place without a physical meeting between a doctor and patient. The spatial distance is bridged by the use of telecommunications and information technologies. The term also covers the advancing digitization of medical-administrative processes. Although not yet widespread, the telemedicine concept is growing in importance and popularity. One example is the passing of Germany's Digital Supply Act (DVG) in 2019, laying the legal foundation for many telemedical applications in the country.

Telemedicine is bringing fundamental changes to healthcare systems, creating both new opportunities and challenges. Advantages include higher quality standards in numerous disciplines and improved medical care through the use of modern communication technologies. At the same time, establishing technical interfaces, educating and training medical staff, and ensuring data protection and patient acceptance of the new technologies will pose challenges. Regardless of the hurdles, telemedicine is steadily progressing and revolutionizing healthcare.