Telemedicine across the ages

Telemedicine can help improve access to health care for people in rural and remote communities, but its uptake has been slow and fragmented. A telepaediatric service in Queensland, initiated in 2000, has made use of mobile "robot" videoconferencing systems. It has been cost-effective and well accepted by patients and clinicians. Telegeriatric services were instigated in Queensland in 2005, principally using videoconferencing. Telegeriatrics has been ideal for frail older patients in remote areas. For telemedicine to become a mainstream service, its focus must move beyond simply the provision of equipment and network connectivity. Telemedicine must be funded adequately if it is to be successful.