Written by international contributors, this detailed overview of telemedicine will be of interest to health professionals, policy makers, and frontline responders. The book begins with historical notes on telemedicine, then offers an overview of trauma and disasters as a worldwide problem. Communication technology and telemedicine connectivity are then reviewed in preparation for chapters on specific technologies used in telemedicine, such as videoconferencing and wireless technologies for medical monitoring. There is also material on planning, equipment, and techniques for telemedicine in remote conditions, extreme environments, disasters, and war, and for specific conditions such as trauma and emergency care, stroke, burns, and orthopedics, illustrated with real cases. Interhospital telemedicine practices are examined, and sociotechnical and organizational challenges to wide e-health implementation are discussed. Final chapters cover educational aspects of telemedicine and offer tips for keeping up with current developments. The book includes b&w photos of equipment, plus detailed process diagrams demonstrating the many factors and actors involved in telemedicine. A glossary and list of acronyms are also included. Latifi is professor of surgery and director of telemedicine and teletrauma at the University Medical Center of Arizona Health Sciences Center. Annotation ©2011 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)