High tech meets high touch: telemedicine's contribution to patient wellness

Telemedicine is potentially an important feature of the continuum of care for the 21st century. It saves time, money, and energy for providers and patients, but is largely unreimbursed by third-party payers, and faces significant legal and attitudinal barriers. This article explores the major elements that support and hinder telemedicine as a viable option for patient care services. Barriers-reimbursement, attitudes, infrastructure, and training-must be offset by positive factors such as industry sponsorship of telemedicine equipment, positive clinical outcomes, and cost savings if implementation rates are to increase. Suggestions are made to nurse administrators who seek to pursue implementation of telemedicine technology.