[Technological transformations and evolution of the medical practice: current status, issues and perspectives for the...

The technological innovations of this past century have shattered the underpinnings of the traditional medical practice and require the opening of new theoretical reflections to take the changes these innovations have introduced into consideration. While it is undeniable that telemedicine contributed to the improvement of the prevention, diagnostic and treatment of disease, as well as the access to health care, it must be underlined that the enthusiasm and the infatuation it arouses hide a sad reality. Indeed, it is not enough that things are technically possible and medically desirable to be simple. Telemedicine faces, as do most other radical technological innovations, cultural, structural, economical, organizational and legal obstacles that undermine its full deployment.