Introduction

Telehealth and telemedicine encompass a wide range of technologies, practices, and policies. Understanding the key terminologies and concepts is essential for navigating this rapidly evolving field. This section provides definitions and explanations of the most important terms and concepts.

Key Terminologies

Telehealth
- Definition: The use of digital information and communication technologies to access health care services remotely and manage your health care. Telehealth can be used for various purposes, including clinical care, patient education, public health, and health administration.
- Example: A diabetes management program where patients can log their blood sugar levels via a mobile app and receive feedback from their healthcare provider.
Telemedicine
- Definition: A subset of telehealth that specifically refers to the use of technology to deliver clinical services at a distance. It involves the remote diagnosis and treatment of patients.
- Example: A virtual consultation between a patient and a physician using video conferencing.
mHealth (Mobile Health)
- Definition: The use of mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets to support public health and clinical practice.
- Example: A mobile app that tracks physical activity and provides health tips based on the user’s data.
eHealth
- Definition: Health services and information delivered or enhanced through the internet and related technologies.
- Example: An online platform where patients can access their electronic health records (EHRs), book appointments, and communicate with healthcare providers.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
- Definition: The use of digital technologies to collect medical and other forms of health data from individuals in one location and electronically transmit that information securely to healthcare providers in a different location for assessment and recommendations.
- Example: A patient with hypertension using a home blood pressure monitor that sends readings to their healthcare provider for review.
Store-and-Forward Telemedicine
- Definition: The asynchronous transmission of medical information to be reviewed at a later time by a healthcare provider. This method does not require both parties to be present at the same time.
- Example: A primary care doctor sending a patient’s dermatology images to a specialist for a consultation.
Synchronous Communication
- Definition: Real-time communication between patients and healthcare providers using technologies such as video conferencing, phone calls, or live chat.
- Example: A live video call between a patient and a psychiatrist.
Asynchronous Communication
- Definition: Communication that does not occur in real-time, allowing participants to send and receive messages, images, or data at their convenience.
- Example: A patient sending an email with their symptoms to a doctor who responds later with advice.
Teleconsultation
- Definition: A consultation between a patient and a healthcare provider, or between healthcare providers, using telecommunication technologies.
- Example: A family physician consulting with a cardiologist via video conference about a patient’s treatment plan.
Teleradiology
- Definition: The transmission of radiological images, such as X-rays and MRIs, from one location to another for the purposes of interpretation and diagnosis.
- Example: A radiologist in a different city reviewing an MRI scan sent from a rural hospital.
Telepathology
- Definition: The practice of pathology at a distance, where digital images of pathology slides are transmitted for examination and diagnosis.
- Example: A pathologist reviewing biopsy slides from a remote location via a secure online portal.
Telepsychiatry
- Definition: The delivery of psychiatric assessment and care through telecommunications technology, often video conferencing.
- Example: A psychiatrist providing therapy sessions to patients in rural areas via video calls.
Health Information Exchange (HIE)
- Definition: The electronic movement of health-related information among organizations according to nationally recognized standards.
- Example: Hospitals in different regions sharing patient information to ensure continuity of care.
Electronic Health Record (EHR)
- Definition: A digital version of a patient's paper chart, which is a real-time, patient-centered record that makes information available instantly and securely to authorized users.
- Example: A healthcare provider accessing a patient’s medical history, medications, and test results through an EHR system.
Interoperability
- Definition: The ability of different information systems, devices, or applications to connect and exchange data in a coordinated manner, within and across organizational boundaries.
- Example: Different EHR systems communicating with each other to share patient information seamlessly.

Concepts

Patient-Centered Care
- Definition: A model of care that respects and responds to individual patient preferences, needs, and values, ensuring that patient values guide all clinical decisions.
- Application: Telehealth platforms allowing patients to access their health information, schedule appointments, and communicate with their providers easily.
Digital Health
- Definition: The convergence of digital technologies with health, healthcare, living, and society to enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery and make medicine more personalized and precise.
- Application: Using AI and machine learning to analyze patient data and provide personalized treatment recommendations.
Licensure and Credentialing
- Definition: Legal and professional requirements for healthcare providers to practice telemedicine across different jurisdictions.
- Application: Ensuring that a physician offering telemedicine services in multiple states holds valid licenses in each state.
Data Privacy and Security
- Definition: Protecting patients’ personal and health information from unauthorized access and breaches.
- Application: Implementing encryption and secure authentication methods in telehealth platforms.
Reimbursement Policies
- Definition: Guidelines and rules for compensating healthcare providers for telehealth services.
- Application: Insurance companies and government programs providing reimbursement for telemedicine consultations.

Conclusion

Understanding these key terminologies and concepts is fundamental for anyone involved in telehealth and telemedicine. These terms define the scope and capabilities of telehealth technologies and services, highlighting their significance in modern healthcare delivery. Familiarity with these concepts helps in effectively implementing telehealth solutions and navigating the regulatory and technical landscape.

Introduction

Key Terminologies

Concepts

Conclusion

Further Reading