Review Article

Requirements, Challenges, and Key Components to Improve Onboard Medical Care Using Maritime Telemedicine: Narrative Review

Table 3

Employed equipment and communication services.

Teletype serviceEquipmentCommunication

Asynchronous/store and forwardTeleconsultation
Telecardiology
Teleradiology
Teledermatology
Televisit
A network cable to the ship’s satellite communication system and email program
Mobile digital radiography unit
Telemedicine case
Portable onboard units
Sending digital photos via email, a telephone contact
Teletransmission of photographs
Virtual private network (VPN) via satellite Internet
Satellite communication
Email service
API and asynchronous communication

Real time audio-videoTeledermatology
Teleconsultation
Telepsychiatry
Televisit
High-resolution external camera
Secure video chat equipment
Digital photography
Bluetooth ECG recorders, oximeter with Bluetooth, sphygmomanometer with Bluetooth, 12-lead electrocardiograph with Bluetooth
Dermoscopy, Cisco webcam video jabber, Global med cart
Satellite Internet and store-and-forward type
Satellite communications to provide a low-bandwidth, encrypted video teleconferencing capability for the maritime industry
Teletransmission of photographs with satellite Internet/5 g
Real-time service

Interactive audio with store and forwardTeledentistry
Teleradiology
Televisit
Teleophthalmology
Dental cases
Digital photography
Large radiology cart-based systems
Digital radiography unit and PACS
Portable and connected ultrasound devices
Portable and connected ECG device
Wireless and intelligent ophthalmology equipment
Laptop-sized machines
Handheld ultrasounds that can connect to a tablet or smart phone
ECG recorders
Slit lamp photograph
Audio and mobile phone service
Portable onboard units
Telephone-based communication
Cloud service
Synchronous telephone consultation, store-and-forward e-mail systems
Radio medical service

Phone-only, form-based Internet prescribingTeleconsultationAudio and mobile phone serviceTelephone-based communication

Remote patient monitoringTeleconsultationA water-proof personalized USB drive provided to each seafarerSatellite Internet