title: The emergence of telemedicine and e-health in Hungary.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The main objective of this article was to describe the present state and characteristics of telemedicine and related e-health services in Hungary and the main obstacles to its further development.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two main data sources were used: statistical data and 90 questionnaire-based semistructured personal interviews conducted with hospital workers in Hungary in August 2009.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Compared with developed countries, telemedicine and e-health are in their infancy in Hungary; in comparison with the less-developed countries of the East Central European region, Hungary fares relatively well. Major differences were found between the application of various telemedicine and related e-health services and between hospitals. The main obstacles to the further development of telemedicine are lack of infrastructure and interoperability and existing technical and regulatory problems. Contrary to our expectations, the low level of information technology skills is only of secondary importance compared with the previously mentioned obstacles and there were no major acceptance problems regarding telemedicine and related e-health on the part of hospital workers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A national strategy addressing the main obstacles is indispensable if telemedicine in Hungary has to develop further.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Economics of HAS and ICEG European Center, Budapest, Hungary. sass@econ.core.hu
authors.forename: Magdolna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sass
authors.forename: Adrienn
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Feko
mesh_terms: D003906:Developing Countries; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D006814:Hungary; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D017216:Telemedicine / Q000458:organization & administration*