Critical issues in telemedicine

Critical issues facing the development of telemedicine today are described and analyzed as dilemmas or paradoxes. The technological dilemma involves the difficult choice between using the latest technology regardless of how well it fits specific needs on the one hand, and the reluctance to capitalize on the available technological capability to create efficient and effective organizations for expanding the reach of health care on the other hand. The evaluation paradox points to the disjuncture between policy making requirements and the scientific enterprise. This engenders the difficulty of producing scientifically valid and policy relevant results from programs that have not achieved maturity or a steady state of operation. The contextual hazards of limiting the scope of telemedicine to rural areas are discussed, as well as the potential for creating a second tier of care for the remote and isolated populations. Finally, professional maturation is addressed as it underscores the importance of self regulation and control.