Telehealth is the delivery of health related services, enabled by the innovative use of technology, such as videoconferencing, without the need for travel.
Telehealth can refer to:
- Transmission of medical images for diagnosis (referred to as store and forward telehealth)
- Groups or individuals exchanging health services or education live via videoconference (real-time telehealth)
- Health advice by telephone
Store and forward telehealth (for example teleradiology) is an established way of accessing a specialist opinion without needing to be in the same room. In most store and forward examples an immediate response is not critical.
Real time telehealth (for example telepsychiatry) uses videoconferencing and is an established way of health providers and consumers interacting face to face in real time more often, with whomever they need and on an ad-hoc basis.
Telehealth service planning, development, management and evaluation expertise is extensive.
Teleheath is a benefit in countries where the traditional delivery of health services are impacted on by distance and lack of local specialist clinicians to deliver services could benefit.
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