The impact of ultra-fast broadband on telehealth in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Information Sciences in Information Technology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand [print title]
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Date
2013
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Massey University
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Abstract
In recent years, many countries around the world have introduced Information
and Communications Technologies (ICTs) in their healthcare industry,
in a bid to improve their productivity and the effectiveness of their
services, triggering the eHealth phenomenon. As a component of eHealth,
telehealth– which refers to a set of expertise and methods that integrate
the world of ICT with the healthcare sector, providing medical care and
education over a distance– is revolutionazing the healthcare sector.
One of the most important ICTs used in the provision of telehealth is
broadband internet. The bandwidth of the broadband connection determines
the speed and quality of communications. Ultra-fast broadband–
currently defined as connections with bandwidth greater than 100Mbps
for downloads and 50Mbps for uploads– has made possible connections
and communications on a scale and of a quality never before possible.
The capacity to traverse geographical boundaries in real time and transfer
large amounts of information has made ultra-fast broadband a soughtafter
tool in many businesses.
The main objective of this research is to study the impact of ultra-fast
broadband internet on the development and quality of telehealth systems,
especially in New Zealand. This thesis provides an overview of current
broadband technologies available for running successful telehealth services,
and studies the application and importance of broadband internet
in the field of healthcare. It also provides a summary of the evolution of
the use of ICTs, broadband technologies in particular, by health systems
and a brief look at the future of these technologies in healthcare sectors,
mainly in New Zealand.
This thesis will conclude the importance of broadband internet in telehealth
and its related services, and that the provision of telehealth would
be near to impossible without ICTs such as broadband. This thesis will also
conclude the introduction of ultra-fast broadband into telehealth in New
Zealand to be a significant step forward as evident in telehealth projects
overseas.
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Telehealth, Broadband, Telecommunication in medicine, New Zealand broadband, Ultra-fast broadband