Telemedicine and Virtual Specialist Hospitals - Virtual Presentia (VIP) and Virtual Absentia (VIA) Hospitals

Medical robots are moving from the benches of laboratories to the bedside of patients rapidly. With advancements in technology, these are being used for minor services to diagnostic as well as therapeutic. They can assist but cannot replace the doctors. Rapid growth of robotic industry is leading to novel applications in medical field. Evolution of new terminologies like tele-presence, tele-medicine, tele-consultation, tele-diagnosis, telerounding, tele-health centers, tele-doctors, tele-nurses are overwhelming and required to be readdressed. Mostly these terms are overlapping. There is increase demand of teleclinics or telehospitals to absorb these terms to avoid confusion. Our focus here is to review the literature related to telemedicine terminologies and discuss new concepts of Virtually Presentable or Virtual Presentia (VIP) and Virtually Accessible or Virtual Absentia (VIA) Specialist Hospitals leading to Absolute Virtual Hospitals and their possible role in web based medical education. By classifying virtual hospitals, identification of available resources (computers), manpower (virtual specialists) and mode of communication (absent or present) will lay down foundation of new aspects for medical educational system.