Telemedicine began over 40 years ago as a means of serving patients in remote areas, but has since grown to become a critical part of operations across a full spectrum of healthcare organizations, including hospitals, private physicians offices, home health agencies, and consumer workplaces.

Today, telemedicine offers a number of services which are widely used to extend the reach of modern health care.

• Primary care and specialist referral services which aid in the rendering of diagnoses

• Remote patient monitoring for home-bound patients and/or as a supplement to visiting nurse care

• Consumer medical and health information access comprising everything from online discussion groups to specialized health information

• Continuing medical education opportunities for health care professionals