Home // International Journal On Advances in Life Sciences, volume 2, numbers 1 and 2, 2010 // View article

Virtual Presentia (VIP) and Virtual Absentia (VIA) Hospitals

Authors:
Muhammad Iftikhar
Khalid Masood

Keywords: telemedicine; remote presence; telepresence; telehospital; virtual hospitals; teleconsultation; telerounding; telereferral; telediagnosis;

Abstract:
Medical robots are moving from the benches of laboratories to the bedside of patients rapidly. With advancements in information and communication technology (ICT), these are being used for diagnostic as well as therapeutic purposes. They can assist but cannot replace the doctors. Evolution of new terminologies like tele-presence, tele-medicine, tele-referral, tele-consultation, tele-rounding, tele diagnosis, telerounding, tele-health centers, tele-doctors, tele-nurses are overwhelming and required to be readdressed. Mostly these terms are overlapping. Definitions of triad of telediagnosis, different ways of communication (real and virtual) and medical robots (Roboscope and Roboop) are given. There is increase demand of teleclinics or telehospitals to absorb these terms to avoid confusion. Our focus here is to review the literature related to telemedicine and discuss new concept of Virtually Presentable or Virtual Presentia (VIP) and Virtually Accessible or Virtual Absentia (VIA) Specialist Hospitals leading to Absolute Virtual Hospitals. Classification of virtual hospitals, identification of available resources (computers), manpower (virtual specialists) and modes of communication (absent or present) will lay down foundation of new aspects for telediagnosis as well as medical educational system.

Pages: 42 to 52

Copyright: Copyright (c) to authors, 2010. Used with permission.

Publication date: September 5, 2010

Published in: journal

ISSN: 1942-2660