The Surgeon Will Skype You Now: Advancements in E-clinic.

Technological advancements over the past century have granted clinicians the opportunity to incorporate the use of telemedicine in their practice. The term telemedicine is defined, according to the American Telehealth Association, as ‘‘the use of medical information exchanged from 1 site to another via electronic communications to improve a patient’s clinical health status.’’ The field has progressed from the use of telephones to voice-over internet protocol (VoIP) and video (ie, Skype). Telemedicine is commonly used in developed nations and now encompasses an expansive range of technology and applications, including digital video conferencing systems. In May 2015, the US Department of Agriculture announced $19 million for the development of distance learning and telemedicine programs, investing into the growth of healthcare systems in rural communities. Several centers have reported excellent outcomes in medical specialties across different states and is gaining increasing support across the US and worldwide. However, a key question remains unanswered; is telemedicine safe for use in our patients?