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

• A "virtual visit" with a health care provider, through a phone call or video chat.



• 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.



• A surgeon using robotic technology to do surgery from a different location.



• Sensors that can alert caregivers if a person with dementia leaves the house.



• Watching an online video that your provider sent you about how to use an inhaler.

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.

Some of the benefits of telehealth include

• Getting care at home, especially for people who can't easily get to their doctors' offices.



• Getting care from a specialist who is not close by.



• Getting care after office hours.



• More communication with your doctors



• More support for people who are managing their health conditions, especially chronic conditions such as diabetes.



• Lower cost, since virtual visits may be cheaper than in-person visits

The types of care that you can get using telehealth may include

• General health care, like wellness visits



• Prescriptions for medicine



• Dermatology (skin care)



• Eye exams



• Nutrition counseling



• Mental health counseling



• Urgent care conditions, such as sinusitis, urinary tract infections, common rashes, etc