Final answer:
Telemedicine, also known as telehealth, is a field of healthcare that employs telecommunications technology to provide medical care without the patient needing to visit the provider in person. It utilizes cheaper, faster, and better-quality data transmission, making use of free Internet calling and videoconferencing. Future technologies like lab-on-a-chip will likely expand home medical testing capabilities.
Step-by-step explanation:
The use of telecommunications technology to provide medical care without requiring a patient to physically visit a provider is known as telemedicine or telehealth. With advancements in technology, such as cheaper, faster, and better-quality data transmission, telemedicine has become more accessible. Technologies like free Internet-based calling and video calling have made it easier for health professionals to offer consultations and even perform remote surgeries.
Improvements in telecommunication technologies, including the use of optical fibers, have enabled complex procedures like microsurgery to be conducted remotely. This allows for surgery to be performed with very small incisions, minimizing physical interaction with diseased tissue. Furthermore, developments such as communications satellites, microwave transmission, and other wireless technologies have also contributed to this field, making telemedicine services more widespread.
Looking ahead to the future, with the advent of lab-on-a-chip technology, home medical tests are expected to become more common. This means that patients will be able to perform certain tests at home and share the results with their doctors remotely, further augmenting the scope of telehealth services.