Telemedicine: a useful and necessary tool to improving quality of healthcare in the European Union.

ABSTRACT

Telemedicine is seen as a useful and potentially powerful tool its use can improve the quality of healthcare while facing the challenge of reducing the costs. Telemedicine might evolve as a cost-effective alternative to the current forms of healthcare delivery. It can offer not only better access to--but also improved quality of--healthcare. Telemedicine can add considerable value for both, the healthcare professional and the patient. The paper sheds light on the infrastructural and financial aspects until the year 2000. The need for a strategy on European level is highlighted in order to facilitate the introduction of telemedicine on a European wide scale.