Telehealth

​​​Telehealth utilizes electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support and promote clinical healthcare services regardless of physical location. (1)

Several terms have emerged to describe virtual healthcare services, and although many of these terms are often used interchangeably, each describes a different way of administering healthcare via technology. (5, 6)

Telemedicine. Uses telecommunication technologies to support the delivery of medical, diagnostic, and treatment-related services, usually by physicians. This can include conducting diagnostic tests, closely monitoring a patient's progress after treatment or therapy, and facilitating access to specialists that are not located in the same place as the patient. (5)

Telehealth. Similar to telemedicine but includes a wider variety of remote healthcare services beyond the doctor-patient relationship—for example, health education, social support, and troubleshooting health issues that are typically provided by nurses, pharmacists, social workers, or other licensed professionals. While telemedicine primarily involves clinical services, telehealth can include both clinical and nonclinical services. ...