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The Evolution of Telehealth

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Mobile e-Health

Part of the book series: Human–Computer Interaction Series ((HCIS))

Abstract

The evolution of telehealth is defined as the change of telehealth over time, and how it is developing into a system of health care delivery and exchange of information for participants over distance. The term ‘separated’ is becoming less of a key element in the current definition of telehealth as we seek to transition telehealth into an integrated mainstream health care system that is useful for people everywhere and not just for people in rural and remote locations. An integrated telehealth service enables economies of scale that ensure an affordable and efficient system which is available in a timely way, for anyone with access challenges. This ensures that the needs of people in rural and remote areas are more likely to be met but it also creates a more affordable and efficient system. We are now beginning to see that telehealth is not just a second best option if you cannot be there in person, but in some instances, telehealth is the best choice, no matter where you live.

The evolution of telehealth encompasses the time when health care was delivered exclusively in-person, through to the introduction of technology supported health consultations for people who had access challenges, to opportunities that are now available for delivering health care and exchanging health information remotely as part of a multi-faceted health care system which is delivered either in-person or online for people everywhere. Different models of telehealth have evolved to incorporate technologies into the health care system to keep pace with this change in implementation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Centre of Research Excellence in Telehealth, Centre for Online Health, Centre for Research in Geriatric Medicine, School of Medicine, The University of Queensland, Level 2, Building 33, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Ipswich Road, Woolloongabba, Brisbane, QLD, 4102, Australia

    Melinda Martin-Khan

  2. School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada

    Shannon Freeman

  3. School of Health Sciences, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada

    Kevin Adam

  4. School of Interdisciplinary Studies, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada

    Georgia Betkus

Authors
  1. Melinda Martin-Khan
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  2. Shannon Freeman
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  3. Kevin Adam
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  4. Georgia Betkus
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Correspondence to Shannon Freeman .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Health & Wellbeing Priority Research Area, School of Health, Wellbeing & Social Care, Faculty of Wellbeing, Education & Language Studies, The Open University, Milton Keynes, United Kingdom

    Hannah R. Marston

  2. School of Nursing, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince George, British Columbia, Canada

    Shannon Freeman

  3. Centre for Innovative Ageing, School of Human and Health Sciences, Swansea University, Swansea, United Kingdom

    Charles Musselwhite

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Martin-Khan, M., Freeman, S., Adam, K., Betkus, G. (2017). The Evolution of Telehealth. In: Marston, H., Freeman, S., Musselwhite, C. (eds) Mobile e-Health. Human–Computer Interaction Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60672-9_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-60672-9_8

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