What is Telehealth?

What are the benefits of Telehealth?

Where is telehealth today?

Where can telehealth go tomorrow?

Glossary of Telehealth Terms

Where is Telehealth Today?

‘High tech’ diagnostic equipment, together with multimedia, scanning, and videoconferencing capabilities, already allow researchers and health care providers to readily share data, images, expertise, and diagnostic procedures. 

Within Canada, Health Canada is pursuing a program to develop a nationwide ‘Health Infostructure’ through the Office of Health and the Information Highway (OHIH). This will be a national health information highway that uses the latest information and communications technologies (ICTs) to enhance our healthcare system. ICTs are already being used worldwide to develop innovative applications such as electronic health records, telehealth and Internet-based health information. Health Canada and other government agencies are satisfied that these applications can significantly improve the accessibility and quality of health services for all Canadians while increasing the health system's efficiency. 

Canada has also provided funding initiatives to encourage and coordinate telehealth development within the country. An example is the current CHIPP initiative. Information on innovative projects and programs funded by CHIPP, and information on the telehealth strategies of each province and territory can be found at the links to the OHIH website.

© 2002 Health Telematics Unit.
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Contact Judy Hunter at hunterj@ucalgary.ca