[Telecare with ECG: how should we use this new system?].

Telecare is to link and facilitate communications between ordinary individuals and health care professionals electronically. It is expected to enrich people's lives by mediating specific health care services with advanced infrastructure of the high information society. In that sense, telecare is a tool to promote people's wellness rather than a machine to monitor their conditions for medical reasons, and can have a higher cost effectiveness with features adjusted for wellness objectives. However, it has to be used in close connection with professional health care. As one of its roles, telecare needs to motivate people with potential health-related problems to seek appropriate medical care without delay, even though it may not necessarily be an emergency. There may also be a positive psychological effect of social recognition in individuals using telecare. On the other hand, with the high prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases in our modern society, telecare can help people to modify their lifestyles and turn from the conventional therapy-based health care system to a more prevention/care-based one. Health care professionals can provide services to meet the needs of wellness-conscious people with the aid of telecare.