International Concerted Action on Collaboration in Telemedicine: Recommendations of the G-8 Global Healthcare Applications Subproject-4

The main objectives of the G-8 Global Healthcare Applications Subproject-4 (G-8 GHAP-SP-4) were to establish an international concerted action on collaboration in telemedicine, telehealth, and health telematics (hereafter referred in this paper as telemedicine). In order to promote and facilitate the implementation of telemedicine or health telematics networks around the world, it was considered necessary to address certain key issues. Five thematic solution-seeking forums were held between May 1998 and December 1999. Each addressed a key issue, including interoperability of telemedicine and telehealth systems, impact of telemedicine on health care management, evaluation and cost effectiveness of telemedicine, clinical and technical quality and standards, and medico-legal aspects of national and international applications. The main objectives of these forums were to establish best practices and a thorough review of the issues and discussions among experts to determine the best solutions for the facilitati...