<h3>What is telehealth?</h3> <p>Telehealth is the use of communications technologies to provide health care from a distance. These technologies may include computers, cameras, videoconferencing, the Internet, and satellite and wireless communications. Some examples of telehealth include:</p><ul> <li>A "virtual visit" with a health care provider, through a phone call or video chat</li> <li>Remote patient monitoring, which lets your provider check on you while you are at home. For example, you might wear a device that measures your heart rate and sends that information to your provider.</li> <li>A surgeon using robotic technology to do surgery from a different location</li> <li>Sensors that can alert caregivers if a person with dementia leaves the house</li> <li>Sending your provider a message through your electronic health record (EHR)</li> <li>Watching an online video that your provider sent you about how to use an inhaler</li> <li>Getting an email, phone, or text reminder that it's time for a cancer screening</li> </ul> <h3>What is the difference between telemedicine and telehealth?</h3> <p>Sometimes people use the term telemedicine to mean the same thing as telehealth. Telehealth is a broader term. It includes telemedicine. But it also includes things like training for health care providers, health care administrative meetings, and services provided by pharmacists and social workers.</p> <h3>What are the benefits of telehealth?</h3> <p>Some of the benefits of telehealth include:</p><ul> <li>Getting care at home, especially for people who can't easily get to their providers' offices</li> <li>Getting care from a specialist who is not close by</li> <li>Getting care after office hours</li> <li>More communication with your providers</li> <li>Better communication and coordination between health care providers</li> <li>More support for people who are managing their health conditions, especially chronic conditions such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/diabetes.html">diabetes</a></li> <li>Lower cost, since virtual visits may be cheaper than in-person visits</li> </ul> <h3>What are the problems with telehealth?</h3> <p>Some of the problems with telehealth include:</p><ul> <li>If your virtual visit is with someone who is not your regular provider, he or she may not have all of your medical history</li> <li>After a virtual visit, it may be up to you to coordinate your care with your regular provider</li> <li>In some cases, the provider may not be able to make the right diagnosis without examining you in person. Or your provider may need you to come in for a lab test.</li> <li>There may be problems with the technology, for example, if you lose the connection, there is a problem with the software, etc.</li> <li>Some insurance companies may not cover telehealth visits</li> </ul> <h3>What types of care can I get using telehealth?</h3> <p>The types of care that you can get using telehealth may include:</p><ul> <li>General health care, like <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthcheckup.html">wellness visits</a></li> <li>Prescriptions for medicine</li> <li>Dermatology (skin care)</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/eyecare.html">Eye exams</a></li> <li>Nutrition counseling</li> <li>Mental health counseling</li> <li>Urgent care conditions, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sinusitis.html">sinusitis</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html">urinary tract infections</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rashes.html">common rashes</a>, etc.</li> </ul> <p>For telehealth visits, just like with an in-person visit, it is important to be prepared and have <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor.html">good communication with the provider</a>.</p>