Determining and applying telemedicine measures of effectiveness within the U.S. Navy

Abstract

Telemedicine is a system of healthcare delivery tools which uses telecommunications consultations as an alternative to transportation of the patient. There are no conclusive studies to prove or disprove the use of telemedicine and it is often implemented with little basis for measuring its effectiveness. Recent initiatives have been driven by advances in technology and pressure by upper management to reduce the cost of health care, but not from local needs assessments. This thesis provides a methodology to collect data used in supporting measures of effectiveness. The methodology is developed through a review of strategic goals, an assessment of potential measures of effectiveness, and the use of a model for data collection. It is applied at a Navy medical treatment facility recently installing telemedicine equipment.