TELEHEALTH

Telehealth versus telemedicine[edit]

Telehealth is sometimes discussed interchangeably with telemedicine, the latter being more common
than the former. The Health Resources and Services Administration distinguishes telehealth from
telemedicine in its scope, defining telemedicine only as describing remote clinical services, such as
diagnosis and monitoring, while telehealth includes preventative, promotive, and curative care delivery.
[1] This includes the above-mentioned non-clinical applications, like administration and provider
education.[2][3]

The United States Department of Health and Human Services states that the term telehealth includes
"non-clinical services, such as provider training, administrative meetings, and continuing medical
education", and that the term telemedicine means "remote clinical services".[6]

The World Health Organization uses telemedicine to describe all aspects of health care including
preventive care.[7] The American Telemedicine Association uses the terms telemedicine and telehealth
interchangeably, although it acknowledges that telehealth is sometimes used more broadly for remote
health not involving active clinical treatments.[8]

eHealth is another related term, used particularly in the U.K. and Europe, as an umbrella term that
includes telehealth, electronic medical records, and other components of health information
technology.

Methods and modalities[edit]

Further information: List of video telecommunication services and product brands
Telehealth requires a strong, reliable broadband connection. As broadband infrastructure has improved,
telehealth usage has become more widely feasible.[1][2]

Healthcare providers often begin telehealth with a needs assessment which assesses hardships which
can be improved by telehealth such as travel time, costs or time off work.[1][2] Collaborators, such as
technology companies can ease the transition.[1].

Delivery can come within four distinct domains: live video (synchronous), store-and-forward
(asynchronous), remote patient monitoring, and mobile health.[9]

Store and forward[edit]

Store-and-forward telemedicine involves acquiring medical data (like medical images, biosignals etc.)
and then transmitting this data to a doctor or medical specialist at a convenient time for assessment
offline.[8] It does not require the presence of both parties at the same time.[10] Dermatology (cf:
teledermatology), radiology, and pathology are common specialties that are conducive to asynchronous
telemedicine. A properly structured medical record preferably in electronic form should be a component
of this transfer. The 'store-and-forward' process requires the clinician to rely on a history report and
audio/video information in lieu of a physical examination.

Remote monitoring[edit]

Telehealth Blood Pressure Monitor

Remote monitoring, also known as self-monitoring or testing, enables medical professionals to monitor
a patient remotely using various technological devices. This method is primarily used for managing
chronic diseases or specific conditions, such as heart disease, diabetes mellitus, or asthma. These
services can provide comparable health outcomes to traditional in-person patient encounters, supply
greater satisfaction to patients, and may be cost-effective.[11] Examples include home-based nocturnal
dialysis[12] and improved joint management.[13]

Real-time interactive[edit]
Electronic consultations are possible through interactive telemedicine services which provide real-time
interactions between patient and provider.[10] Videoconferencing has been used in a wide range of
clinical disciplines and settings for various purposes including management, diagnosis, counseling and
monitoring of patients.[14]

Videotelephony[edit]
Main article: Videotelephony
Videotelephony comprises the technologies for the reception and transmission of audio-video signals by
users at different locations, for communication between people in real-time.[15]

At the dawn of the technology, videotelephony also included image phones which would exchange still
images between units every few seconds over conventional POTS-type telephone lines, essentially the
same as slow scan TV systems.

Currently videotelephony is particularly useful to the deaf and speech-impaired who can use them with
sign language and also with a video relay service, and well as to those with mobility issues or those who
are located in distant places and are in need of telemedical or tele-educational services.