A systematic review of the use of telehealth in Asian countries

摘要: We conducted a systematic review of the literature on telehealth in Asia. The Medline database was searched, together with three specialist journals, for peer-reviewed articles published ten years to June 2007 which were related any application involving one or more Asian country. Out 1504 abstracts retrieved, 109 selected by two independent reviewers final review. number Asia increased during period. largest studies Japan (37%). Most applications based store-and-forward modality (43%), 35% using videoconferencing and 15% hybrid approach. descriptive (75%) only eight included control group against compared. most common means telecommunication ISDN lines, employed 32% studies. Some 40% mentioned improved quality health care; about 20% access care. Although cost, 13 them assessed resource utilization cost. overall findings gave generally optimistic picture However, there is lack good