diabetic patients discharged from the hospital and referred to the VNAGP participated in the study. Half of them were randomly assigned to receive a patient telecommunication station in their homes, while the remaining patients received traditional in-home nursing visits. The patient station included a computer and monitor equipped with two-way voice capa- bility and a video camera. A blood pressure cuff and stethoscope were also attached to the computer. Using the patient station, which works over ordinary phone lines, the patient could see and talk with the nurses. The system also allowed the nurses to see and hear the patients and to take temperature and blood pressure meas- urements, listen to heart and lung sounds, and discuss diet and blood sugar results. Patients who used the telecommunications system scored higher on positive outcomes of treatment, had fewer rehospitalizations, and had fewer visits to hospital emergency rooms. Dansky notes that, in general, the patients liked working with the telecom- munications equipment. The stations gave patients a sense of security because they could keep in touch with their nurse at all times. Some patients even pre- pared for the video visits by fixing their hair and dressing up. Far from frivo- lous, such interest in self-care is an important indicator of vitality and personal responsibility. The nurses, too, responded favorably to the technology, although three gen- erations of telehomecare machines were introduced and tested during the study period. Dansky notes that the nurses found ingenious ways to deal with equipment failures. For example, if a patient didn't respond, they would hold up a sign that says, "Nod your head if you can see and not hear me." The nurses also used laundry baskets to take the equipment into homes SO that thieves wouldn't see what they were doing. There were no thefts during the project and no break-ins, even though some patients resided in crime-ridden areas of the city. Dansky sees many possibilities for broader application of the te