Abstract: A system for remotely monitoring the medical condition of a number of individual patients from a centralized location. The system includes a plurality of remote monitoring units that each include both a wireless transmission device and a conventional modem for communicating over voice telephone lines. The dual modes of transmission allow the remote monitoring unit to communicate either over a wireless communication network, if available or over conventional telephone wires. The remote monitoring unit includes a voice processing system that provides audio prompts and directions to the patient to direct the patient through the vital sign data gathering sequence. The audio prompts instruct the patient on the particular steps and timing for the vital sign data gathering sequence. Once the vital sign data has been acquired, the control unit of the remote monitoring unit determines whether a wireless transmission network is available.