Telemedicine can be broadly defined as healthcare services delivered through telecommunication networks. In simplest terms, Telemedicine can be explained as two doctors or doctor-patient discussing the case on a phone. Practiced telemedicine is more than simple voice communication over telephone lines.

In other means telemedicine is the transfer of patient's medical data in electronic format like Patient's demographical information and history, images like X-ray, CT scan and MRI; ECG; video of sonography, endoscopy, angiography and pathology; audio of electronic stethoscope and doppler; for diagnosis, treatment as well as clinical education.

WHO (World Health Organization) has recognized telemedicine as a cost effective and practical method to deliver healthcare to all. In this new era of the interconnected world, it is being viewed as the future means of delivering healthcare. 

Store and Forward Telemedicine: The method by which patient's medical data are acquired and stored locally and later forwarded to expert doctors at other centers. The remote centre receives the expert  doctor's opinion with in 48 hours or more. This is typically used for non-emergency situations. Also, in this case, the doctor's presence may not be required at the time of data transfer.

Real time Telemedicine: The method by which patient's medical data is transmitted as it is being acquired. One example is video conferencing with attachment of medical equipments like sonography machine, endoscope etc. The video and medical data transfer is done in real time and an expert opinion can be sought instantly.

Our telemedicine system "Tele Doctor", covers both the above features i.e.  Store and Forward as well as Real Time  Telemedicine. Urgency of the case and cost are the main parameters to be considered while selecting either form of telemedicine.