Telemedicine's captive audiences

Donna Cusano

Guess where the perfect elements for telemedicine–a large number of patients with a wide mix of common but treatable diseases concentrated by location, excellent access to contracted medical specialists, a single payer system–are present?  The US state prison system.  Telemedicine has been used in the California penal system for over 10 years, plus in 25 other states.  Just in the cost of guarding and transporting prisoners, it’s saved this cash-strapped state over $13 million.  We’ll forgive HealthLeaders for confusing telemedicine and telehealth.