History of Telemedicine: Evolution, Context, and Transformation

KEYWORDS:
• HISTORY OF MEDICINE
• TELECOMMUNICATIONS
• TELEMEDICINE

Many enjoy studying history. However, I am not one of them. Perhaps it is the way history is often taught, but more often than not, history to me has been more about memorizing uninteresting and irrelevant facts than reading inspirational stories about accomplished leaders and significant events. However, I have come to appreciate that a great deal can be learned from the successes, failures, and missed opportunities of the past. So with a strong interest in the promise of telemedicine, I eagerly read History of Telemedicine.

As the subtitle suggests, the book takes readers on a fascinating journey through the evolution, context, and transformation of telemedicine. History aficionados will thoroughly enjoy the initial section, which provides a series of stories about telecommunication in ancient times—when, similar to today, societies struggled with ways to treat distant “patients.” Illustrations depict the variety of messaging systems (fire, smoke, water, and mirrors) developed …