Telehealth for Acute and Chronic Care Consultations

Telehealth is the use of information and telecommunications technology to provide or support healthcare across time and/or distance. Telehealth’s potential benefits are frequently cited, and there is a sizable body of research on telehealth, including systematic reviews and reviews of reviews. Despite this potential, implementation and spread has been slower than expected, though recent trends suggest that use of telehealth may be increasing.

With improvement in technologies, changes in payment policies, and evolving models for healthcare in general and telehealth in particular, the possibility exists for a rapid acceleration in implementation and wider use of telehealth. However, targeting, supporting, and sustaining increased use of telehealth requires organized and accessible information on the impact of different uses of telehealth. Specifically, synthesis of existing research evidence can help inform decisions about where, in terms of settings and clinical indications, telehealth is likely to improve access, quality, and efficiency. One approach is to assess the evidence about the different roles telehealth can play in healthcare.