Telemedicine, in the simplest term is information and communication technology in healthcare. It is about exchanging patient information between health professionals that are treating or otherwise taking care of patients. Telemedicine transmits clinical data by use of computer, internet, telephone and other communication methods. For example, thanks to telemedicine it is possible to diagnose cardiovascular or respiratory diseases and consult patients residing in remote areas of Karaganda or Atyrau oblast of Kazakhstan by a doctor in capital city of Astana or in Almaty, thousands of miles away. And it doesn’t matter where the patient is located – in a city or remote rural hospital, oil platform or remote railway station.
Telemedicine can bring expertise of medical professionals from virtually any place on the Globe that has access to the Internet. Doctors from Johns Hopkins or Mass General in the United States or professors from Germany, Turkey, Almaty or Astana are able to provide quality diagnostic and consulting services to a patient residing in remote areas of Kazakhstan.
Telemedicine can also serve education purpose. Clinical rounds and training sessions from leading academic centers can be transmitted through videoconferencing helping local doctors to improve their knowledge and skills.