This list of tasks represents a sophisticated grasp of the emerging complexities of telemedicine and signals a determination to properly scope and positively stimulate further development. I expect to put a discussion paper on the DIST project web site in about a month's time. Ideally, the benefits of this business approach to telemedicine are that it will encourage the market segments, it will lead to improvements in products and services and it will lead to more frequent benchmarking and pursuit of quality. My company is currently advising a State Government on a plan to introduce telemedicine over the next three years. This an excellent opportunity for that particular Government to learn from the findings of the early adopters and to use best practice in business approaches to telemedicine.
State Governments are able to influence many facets of health care delivery.
The business planning process in the State we are advising already has taken many, many months and has involved a very wide gamut of stakeholders. The planning documents are very extensive, and cover areas ranging from needs analyses, information technology, resources and sub-projects. The planning discussion has also covered designing an evaluation framework and developing risk management strategies. It is aiming to be a 'hospital without walls', to provide services for women and children throughout South Australia, and telemedicine is one way it will achieve this goal. The two South Australian hospitals have sensibly formed a collaborative arrangement and registered the business name Telehealth Partners.