Telemedicine in the Canadian High Arctic and other remote environments

Remote telemedicine systems can offer significant technical and clinical benefits when applied to broader based systems serving large, isolated populations. Important characteristics such as portability and versatility of remote telemedicine technologies has been demonstrated in unique projects conducted on the highest mountain summits, while the potential adaptability of telemedicine systems has been reflected by their use in support of manned space missions. By advancing the limits of telemedicine technology and the clinical utility of such systems in remote environments we are better able to meet the demands of broader based telemedicine systems serving isolated populations. This is demonstrated by the Baffin Telehealth Project which serves the remote communities of the Canadian High Arctic. Using technologies from remote telemedicine systems this project has overcome isolating geography and harsh environmental conditions to provide enhanced health care to the communities of the Baffin Region.