Telehealth

Telehealth refers to the delivery of health-related services and information via the use of electronic information and telecommunications technology (EIT). It enables long-distance patient and physician interaction, care, guidance, reminders, education, intervention, monitoring, and remote admissions, as well as remote monitoring and intervention. Telemedicine is occasionally used as a synonym for other terms, or it is used in a more restricted meaning to indicate remote clinical services, such as diagnosis and monitoring, that are provided via the internet. Whenever rural settings, a lack of transportation, a lack of mobility, conditions resulting from outbreaks, epidemics, or pandemics, decreased funding, or a lack of staff create barriers to accessing care, telehealth can help to bridge the gap by providing distance learning; meetings, supervision, and presentations between practitioners; online information and health data management; and integration of the healthcare system. Two clinicians discussing a case over video conference; a robotic surgery performed through remote access; physical therapy performed using digital monitoring instruments, live feeds, and application combinations; tests being relayed among facilities for interpretation by a higher expert; home monitoring through continuous sending of patient data; client to practitioner online conference; or even videophone interpretation during a consult are all examples of telehealth services available.

Telehealth refers to "non-clinical services, such as provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical education," whereas telemedicine is defined as "remote clinical services" by the Department of Health and Human Services of the United States.

Telemedicine is a term used by the World Health Organization to encompass all areas of health care, including preventative health care. According to the American Telemedicine Association, the words telemedicine and telehealth are interchangeable, however it notes that the term telehealth is frequently used more widely to refer to distant health that does not include active clinical treatments.

Another similar word, eHealth, is often used in the United Kingdom and Europe as an umbrella phrase to refer to telehealth, electronic medical records, and other components of health information technology, all of which are included in this category.