leconferencing enables them to participate in far more seminars and symposia than they could ever attend in person, and they are able to participate without the difficulties of traveling (such as jet lag or expenses) (Taylor, 1994, p. 42).
Telemedicine in this form was first introduced in 1959 when two-way, closed-circuit microwave television was used to connect various groups. Since that time, technology has slowly evolved to the point where phone cables are now able to carry signals of increased complexity in order to accommodate sophisticated imaging systems. The systems in use today (for example, at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center), are able to transfer high-quality images of CT scans, MRI and other radiologic information across networks, greatly improving the ability of outlying areas to have access to experts located centrally (Robinet, 1994, p. 6).
In systems where telemedicine has been implemented, practitioners have cited decreased costs to patients as transporta
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