Telemedicine in northern Norway

Abstract

The University Hospital of Tromso has been involved in a variety of telemedicine activities since the late 1980s, including teleradiology, telepathology, teledermatology, remote endoscopy, remote gastroscopy, teleechocardiography, transmission of electrocardiograms, telepsychiatry, electronic delivery of laboratory results and distance learning for health professionals. Since 1993 the department of telemedicine in Tromsl has been designated the national centre of competence in telemedicine. With a wealth of experience to draw from, a critical number of health-care professionals exposed to and using telemedicine routinely, the support of the Norwegian health authorities, a national centre guiding telemedicine research, no licensing barriers within the country, nationwide ISDN and reimbursement for telemedicine services, the future of telemedicine in Norway looks promising.