The terms telehealth, telemedicine, digital health, connected care and virtual health all refer to using electronic information and telecommunications technologies to deliver clinical health care, support health-related education, facilitate public health, and manage health administration remotely. Though these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, definitions can vary, leading to debate over their specific meanings. In the words of Christian Milaster from our Vendor Selection Toolkit: "Everybody agreed until somebody defined it".
While precise terminology may be flexible, these technologies are essential tools in a clinician's practice. Here are some critical considerations when using telehealth tools:
- Does It Work?
- How effective is the tool? What evidence supports its use?
- Are there specific conditions where it is ineffective and should be avoided?
- What benchmarks are used to assess outcomes?
- Is It Equivalent to or Better Than In-Person Care?
- Should telehealth meet or exceed the quality of in-person care?
- How do we account for variability in in-person care standards?
- How should we evaluate telehealth applications with no in-person equivalent, like remote patient monitoring?
- Is It Better Than No Care?
- For certain populations, the alternative benchmark may be no care.
- How do we assess whether telehealth is the only viable option in a given situation?
- Who determines when telehealth is the best option?
- Clinician Competency
- Are clinicians trained to use telehealth tools effectively?
- What defines an acceptable level of competence or proficiency?
- When and how should competency be evaluated?
- Is it the Right Tool for the Specific Condition?
- What criteria should we consider - cost-effectiveness, accuray, efficiency, potential for misuse?
- Who is responsible for making these determininations?
These questions are central as policymakers define the conditions under which telehealth tools are deemed "acceptable" or "reimbursable." For more detailed insights on "What is Telehealth" and "Telehealth Taxonomy", explore our Vendor Selection Toolkit.
