Many rural areas and migrant populations are underserved by existing health care delivery systems but new telecommunications technologies and telemedicine networks create opportunities, in excess of 5130 million, for providing improved access to information and health care for rural populations. More than twenty states and HMOs have initiated telemedicine projects for rural areas; their success is limited because they rely on expensive technology, point-to-point transmission, high-speed data lines and high-bandwidth telecommunications infrastructure which are not available in many rural areas. The research project assesses feasibility of using new technological opportunities (K-Band Satellite, Broad-Band Technology) to develop processes and products for low to moderate cost image transmission which make best use of existing infrastructure in rural areas; produce cost-effective telemedicine technology and improved health care delivery to rural populations; and create jobs and new industries for rural areas. Project team has exemplary track record in developing and marketing innovative medical systems software and hardware; health care delivery in isolated rural areas; successful rural community and economic development. Potential opportunities for commercialization and national benefit are substantial, and may be appropriate for Phase II project.Applications:Medical image transmission via low to moderate bandwidth channels may provide the cost-effective technology which will stimulate government and private health care providers to leap-frog the current limitations of rural telemedicine networks and create a health care information industry which is no longer constrained by high costs, geography, and telecommunications infrastructure. Proposed technologies may prove feasible for federal agencies to employ in mobile clinics and remote hospitals; for rural populations to access cost-effective specialized medical care; provide mobile service to migrant populations; and develop new, medical records storage industry in rural centers.
