The report shows that telemedicine in Australia is in an embryonic stage, and the barriers to its further development are substantial. At the same time, the industry is immature with a lack of associations, active research bodies, professional publications, healthy competition, and private investment. The report highlighted in particular the lack of remuneration for general practitioners as a barrier to their adoption of telemedicine. The report also noted that medico-legal issues were a potential hazard and the question of the medical registration of health care professionals was also discussed by the Committee. The DIST study of telemedicine in Australia suggests that some of the major barriers to telemedicine adoption relate to the nature of the industry, including the immaturity of the industry, the limited telecommunications infrastructure, the lack of appropriate dialogue between vendors and buyers about solutions required and the lack of partnerships in the industry.
Remuneration is only one barrier.
There are, of course, other substantial organisational, financial and attitudinal barriers to telemedicine adoption. While there is encouragement for a national coordinating organisation in telemedicine in Australia, there is little agreement about whether it be focused on technology matters, such as the availability of infrastructure or standards, or on strategic planning, policy development, promotion, evaluation, marketing or other issues. There is a place for the Australian Government to provide infrastructure, reduce obstacles, facilitate investment and build wealth through research and development in telemedicine. There seems to be a consensus regarding the need for the Government to assume a leadership role in regulation to ensure a consistent approach across Government portfolios, providing forums for dialogue and laying off government intellectual property rights to the private sector willing to assume commercialisation risks. The interviewees for the DIST study accepted that industry needed to provide leadership by nurturing consumer confidence and comfort with new systems and providing self-regulation by developing collaborative relationships with consumers.