How should telemedicine be introduced to local physicians?
When a local physician is asked to make use of a telemedicine consultation service, he or she is essentially being asked to refer patients who need the service to a physician at another facility or organization that he or she is likely to neither know nor have any idea regarding his/her level of skill and competence. Furthermore, a referring physician may be skeptical of the value of telemedicine due to the concern about the potential loss of the doctor-patient relationship that is fostered in face-to-face care. He or she needs reassurance that the specialists are not simply appropriating patients, but are available in a supportive role. For these reasons, local physicians should have an opportunity to see the service in action at their convenience and to meet and talk with the specialty providers. Face-to-face meetings are best for establishing this relationship, but videoconferencing does work as an alternative. In addition, sharing documents describing the background, training and e
