In comparison, the telemedicine industry in the USA has many mature aspects, such as industry associations, research bodies, journals, healthy competition, private investment and high levels of use in some instances. On the other hand, substantial obstacles still need to be overcome, before the industry takes off in the USA in a dynamic, enduring manner. There is no set definition of an industry and it is becoming increasingly difficult to define an industry's boundaries, particularly in any areas that involve fast-changing information and communications technologies. Other factors that are blurring the boundaries of industries include globalisation and deregulation. Research for the DIST study suggests that most people involved with telemedicine have difficulty seeing the industry as a range of technologies, markets and customers.
Many buyers see one slice, such as videoconferencing technology, and no more.
Very few people in Australia have a comprehensive view of the telemedicine industry in Australia. For most people, the telemedicine industry consists of the major equipment vendors, a number of integrators and the buyers. This narrow view is problematic where such people are in decision making positions within institutions and are making purchases that will have an impact on the organisation for the next 2-3 years. Technology convergence Telemedicine is benefiting from the trend towards the integration of technologies. In the early 1990s, telemedicine technology was predominantly seen as videoconferencing technology.