The new telecare: emerging Internet-based models for home healthcare

Today's prevalent home telecare model is based on POTS or ISDN-mediated interactive video, and largely replicates conventional provider/client interactions. While this "classical model" may be struggling (see Focus Story, p. 27), a new breed of applications is arising which represents quite a different way of doing business. Each takes a low-tech, low-cost approach to leveraging the value of the Internet. Any of these different models has the potential of opening up a whole new way of providing care and improving self-care. So ... in contrast to the sober tone of this month's feature report, it's a pleasure to be able to report here on some very innovative new Internet-based approaches that promise to leapfrog over many of the institutional, bureaucratic, and technological barriers facing classical home telecare.