Delivering low-bandwidth telemedicine services over hybrid networks in developing countries

Summary form only given. The results of medical specialist consultations sampled from several rural clinics located throughout India indicate that remote expert opinions can improve the speed and accuracy of diagnosis. Central to this presentation is a description of how real-time and store and forward telemedicine services can be provided to rural populations over hybrid networks made up of ISDN, POTS, VSAT, cellular, and Cable Internet connections. A model for meeting the specialized medical needs of developing countries will be highlighted. Descriptions, examples, and benefits of how browser-based client-server architectures are being used in over 20 locations in India and Mexico for triaging real-time vital signs, DICOM images, audio and video, and clinical text information will be highlighted.