Define the Clinical Use Case First

• Specialist teleconsultation — Remote specialist reviewing patient with bedside clinician. Requires high-resolution camera, clear audio and reliable Wi-Fi.
• Remote patient monitoring — Continuous or scheduled monitoring. May require peripheral integration (stethoscope, otoscope, dermatoscope).
• MDT review — Multiple remote participants reviewing imaging or case notes. Requires larger display and document camera.
• Rural or district hospital link — Bandwidth constraints and connectivity resilience are critical.
• Patient-facing consultation — Privacy, audio clarity and ease of use for non-clinical users are priorities.

Camera Selection

• Resolution — 1080p minimum for clinical use. 4K for dermatology, wound assessment and high-detail examination.
• Pan-tilt-zoom (PTZ) — Allows remote clinician to direct the camera. Essential for remote physical examination.
• Low-light performance — Test in the actual room, not a showroom.
• Field of view — Wide-angle for room view; narrow for close examination. Some carts support dual cameras.
• Document camera — For sharing physical documents, wound images or diagnostic results.
• Infection control — Camera housing must be cleanable. Avoid exposed lens mechanisms that trap contamination.

Audio — The Most Underspecified Component

• Microphone — Echo cancellation is essential. Test in the actual environment with background noise.
• Speaker — Sufficient volume for a clinical room without distortion.
• Digital stethoscope — For remote auscultation. Requires compatible peripheral and software integration.
• Privacy — Confirm audio does not carry beyond the consultation space.

Display Configuration

• Single vs dual display — Single for standard consultation; dual for simultaneous video and imaging review.
• Screen size — 21″–27″ for standard consultation; larger for MDT review or patient-facing use.
• Brightness — Minimum 300 cd/m² for clinical environments with variable lighting.
• Touch vs non-touch — Touch screens require sealed, cleanable surfaces.
• Height and tilt adjustment — Must accommodate seated and standing clinicians and patient-facing use.

Power Architecture

• Calculate total load — Include display(s), computer, camera, audio system and peripherals at full operating load.
• Battery vs mains — Battery for mobile use; mains for fixed consultation rooms; hybrid for flexible deployment.
• Runtime — Video streaming is a continuous high load. Specify from actual consultation schedule.
• Hot-swap — For 24/7 environments (ICU, emergency teleconsultation) where downtime is not acceptable.

See the Battery & Power Backup Guide for full power planning methodology.

Mobility and Connectivity

• Wi-Fi roaming — Validate seamless roaming across the full clinical route. Telemedicine is more sensitive to packet loss than standard browsing.
• Wired fallback — For fixed consultation rooms, Ethernet eliminates Wi-Fi variability.
• Caster quality — Smooth, quiet rolling essential for patient-facing environments.
• Corridor clearance — Dual-display carts are wider than standard COWs. Measure doors and lifts.

Infection Control and Cleanability

• All surfaces must be cleanable with hospital-approved disinfectants. Confirm chemical compatibility before purchase.
• Camera housing, microphone grilles and speaker covers must be sealed or replaceable.
• Peripheral connectors should be covered when not in use.
• Define a written daily cleaning protocol and agree it with infection control before deployment.

IT, Security and Platform Integration

• Platform compatibility — Confirm compatibility with your telemedicine platform (eSanjeevani, Practo, custom HIS-integrated solution).
• Encryption — All video and audio streams must be encrypted end-to-end.
• Authentication — Clinician login, automatic screen lock and session termination after consultation.
• Remote management — Define patching, monitoring and support ownership between IT and the vendor.
• Peripheral drivers — Confirm all diagnostic peripherals have validated drivers for your platform.