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Telemedicine technology will soon be widely available in physicians' surgeries and patients' homes. In this article we discuss the broader implications of its widespread use among physicians, patients, and society as a whole, focusing on the main vehicle of communication between physician and patient; the "electronic home visit" or "electronic house call". After exploring the new relationship that is likely to develop between patients and physicians as a consequence of the use of telemedicine, we then discuss the anticipated broader social, economic and legal consequences of the widespread use of this technology.

Medical expert systems have been developed for more than 20 years, in particular in the United States. Most existing systems are prototypes, and only a few commercial systems are available. The prototypes are generally limited in scope or functions (and have not been transferred to other users). However, in the near future we can expect useful applications to appear in special areas of medicine. In Norway we probably do not have the resources required to develop large commercial medical expert systems. If we want to develop medical expert systems, we should concentrate on limited areas. We must prepare the ground for future use of such systems in Norway. An important first step is to give health personnel basic education in the use of computers.

This article gives an overview of North American electronic networks and on-line databanks containing medical and health-related information. It discusses costs and benefits for physicians and other health care personnel. The article concludes with practical information on ways to connect a Norwegian medical practice to these networks and databanks.

Patient-administrative systems are becoming increasingly accepted in general practice. The market is now more mature than before. Many physicians are now purchasing computer systems for general practice the second time. Due to national characteristics of the health services the market for these systems is not truly international. In Norway this market is dominated by two makes: Infodoc and Profdoc. In future more physicians will use systems for general practice, and more functions will be added, although the usefulness of these may be a matter for discussion. Furthermore, the importance of telecommunications is expected to increase, and similarly, integration with other services. This development would be furthered by central government action for the purpose of harmonizing and standardizing data, systems and possibly user-interface.

This article proposes the establishment of a central, on-line information bank for the Norwegian health services. The article discusses the potential content and functions of the information bank. It is concluded that, in addition to increasing the availability of health-related information, such an information bank might also improve communication at several levels of the health care system.