Standards for data collection and monitoring in a telemedicine research network.
While a networked, nationwide health information system is financially and logistically impractical, the development of independent, regional systems is realistic and feasible. A Telemedicine Research Network (TRN) could connect a number of geographically disparate health systems. This would require the reconciliation of policies and practices in five principal areas: partner agreement on project scope; privacy, security and confidentiality; technical standards; telecommunications and computer infrastructure; change management and training. Initial establishment of a first-stage TRN would require very little technical development and would, instead, rely on trust among the partners. The development of standards-based TRNs will greatly increase the quality and quantity of telemedicine research.
Yellowlees
Peter W
PW
Academic Information Services, University of California Davis Medical Center, Sacramento, California 95817, USA. pmyellowlees@ucdavis.edu
Harry
David
D
D003219:Confidentiality / Q000592:standards; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized / Q000592:standards; D012106:Research; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*