Civilian Telemedicine in Remote and Extreme Environments

Abstract

Remote and extreme environments are characterized as inhospitable places on Earth or in space where humans require a variety of resources to support their needs. For millennia, humans have ventured into places on earth that have challenged their very existence. Today these environments include Mt. Everest, Antarctic research stations, the jungles of the Amazon, or a space-based platform in low earth orbit. These environments present difficult problems when it comes to providing medical support. The advent of modern telecommunications has provided the foundation for individuals in these environments to be linked to an area of greater concentration of expertise that may not be resident with them. The integration of telecommunications and information systems in the practice of medicine referred to as telemedicine, telehealth, or e-health has been ongoing for nearly a century. The use of the radio was integral to support for research expeditions on winter stays on the Antarctic continent from 1911. The use of telecommunications during the early days of space flight provided the necessary information to ascertain the health status of the astronauts. As the 20 Century came to a close, telecommunications and the ability to be connected has greatly enhanced the ability to address medical care in remote and extreme environments. Many of the technologies used in supporting such medical response have been evaluated and validated in test beds, demonstrations, or reallife experiences. The following will highlights the many challenges of conducting telemedicine in such environments.