Teleradiology. Part I. History and clinical applications.

Teleradiology—the ability to obtain images in one location, transmit them over a distance, and view them remotely for diagnostic or consultative purposes—has been explored for nearly 50 years and is part of the more encompassing concept of “telemedicine”—the delivery of health care services over a distance. Major advances in telecommunications and computer systems and advances in the ability to capture medical information in digital form have accelerated the ability to apply telemedicine methods in a practical and affordable manner. These enabling factors are especially relevant to radiology, which currently stands out as one of the most technologically and clinically advanced areas for telemedicine applications.