Applications in telehealth depend on telecommunications infrastructure. This infrastructure is currently going through a fascinating evolutionary process. Here is a brief summary (we will study these technologies in more detail later in the course):

Infrastructure of the 1980s:

• 2-way telephone (POTS)

• 1-way broadcast (TV, radio)

• Selective high-speed broadband (e.g., T1 lines)

• Low-speed Personal computers

Infrastructure of the 1990s:

• 2-way telephone (POTS), 1-way broadcast

• 1-way cable (TV)

• Cellphones (low-bandwidth wide-area networks)

• More common high-speed broadband (T1, optical fibers & local area networks)

• Home internet via modems on 2-way POTS lines

• Medium-speed Personal Computers

• Emergence of International Videoconferencing Standards

Infrastructure of 2003:

• All of above

• High-bandwidth Internet into home via DSL/Cable Modem

• Mature emailing/messenging within integrated environment

• Wireless LANs (IEEE 802.11b), start of Bluetooth products

• Widespread use of conferencing standards (H320, H.324, H.323)

• PDAs and Mobile computing

Anticipated Trends from the Workshop on Homecare Technologies of the Future:

“Numerous participants cited the likely development of computerized smart devices and systems as major factors in home- and self-care over the next decade. Intelligent medical devices and personal support technologies were expected throughout the home and community for data acquisition, assessment, assistance with compliance, and integration of care with remote systems and databases. Participants envisioned the automation of mechanistic processes and expected the implementation of simple low-risk decisions by such intelligent devices and systems. Wearable, wireless systems were anticipated as well. “

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