Telemedicine is poised to revolutionize the practice of medicine.

Telemedicine--the application of audiovisual technology to patient care and medical education--has tremendous potential benefits, especially in linking doctors in remote rural locations to specialists in urban areas. The technology permits remote examinations and diagnoses of patients and continuing education for rural doctors. And there's potential for long-term savings by eliminating some hospital stays and reducing transportation costs. Telemedicine projects are multiplying as they become more economically feasible, thanks to new technology.