Telemedicine is composed of the Greek word teae (tele) meaning distance and the Latin word mederi meaning healing and literally meaning distance healing. It is therefore the delivery of Medicine at a distance.
A more extensive definition is that it is the term given to the use of modern telecommunications and information technologies for the provision of clinical care to individuals located at a distance and to the transmission of information to provide that care.
Defined by the US Food and Drug Administration as the delivery and provision of healthcare and consultative services to individual patients and the transmission of information related to care, over distance, using telecommunications technologies.
Telemedicine incorporates direct clinical, preventive, diagnostic, and therapeutic services and treatment; consultative and follow-up services; remote monitoring of patients; rehabilitative services; and patient education.