Retrospective analysis of development and use of telemedicine technologies in Russia and abroad

Abstract

The article presents a retrospective analysis of bibliographical sources devoted to the development and use of telemedicine technologies in Russia and abroad. Each historical period had ultimate and advanced technologies for telemedicine purposes. Telemedicine history can be viewed as a gradual progression of communication tools and remote information exchange. On the other hand, stages of telemedicine history are based on the progressive development of clinical capabilities. Telemedicine development can be classified into periods by technological types of telecommunications (telephone, radio, satellite communications, etc.) and by clinical forms of application (remote transmission of diagnostic examination data; teleconsultations for planned and emergency care; telemedicine for remote work; biotelemetry; telemonitoring; mobile telemedicine for remote and hard-to-reach areas, etc.) In both cases, periods have blurred and tentative boundaries, with many stages “intersecting” or ongoing simultaneously. It can be remarked that “remote provision of medical aid and medical services through telecommunications” had globally started at least 50 years before the very idea and concept of telemedicine was formulated, and the term came into use. Telemedicine has been successfully applied in many countries, including the Russian Federation, and has proven to be an effective method for improving access to medical services in lowly populated and remote areas and for reducing the costs of medical services.