Abstract

GIL-LOPEZ, P et al. Present and future of Spanish Military Telemedicine. 25 years of the Military Telemedicine Unit at the Central Defense Hospital «Gómez Ulla». Sanid. Mil. [online]. 2020, vol.76, n.3, pp.197-204.  Epub Mar 08, 2021. ISSN 1887-8571.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/s1887-85712020000300012.

Telemedicine consists of the exchange of health information between healthcare professionals, and between healthcare professionals and patients, through the use of information and communications technologies (ICT). It is already considered an emerging technology in what is commonly called the «Productivity Plateau». It is also probably an exponential growth technology, in which the «trigger» for such growth will be a mixture of new technologies such as portable sensors/wearables that detect multiple patient data (Blood Pressure, Heart Rate, Respiratory Rate, Glycaemia, Temperature, etc.), better communications (5G), augmented and mixed reality (augmented and virtual), artificial intelligence systems to improve diagnosis, etc.

In Spain, Military Telemedicine is a pioneer in the field. The main mission is to provide remote health support to health professionals or military personnel deployed in Operations and remote or difficult-to-access locations. In 2021 the Spanish Telemedicine Unit at Central Defense Hospital «Gómez Ulla» will celebrate its 25Th anniversary.

This article discusses the aforementioned aspects of telemedicine as an emerging technology and describes the current mission, organization and capabilities of Spanish military telemedicine, as well as its future.

Keywords : Military medicine; Telemedicine/emergent technologies; Telemedicine/exponential growth; Telemedicine/capabilities.

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