Table 1 Most common telehealth-related terminologies followed by each definition
From: The state of the art in telerehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions
Terminology | Definition |
|---|---|
Digital health | “Digital health is defined as the use of digital, mobile and wireless technologies to support the achievement of health objectives. Digital health describes the general use of information and communications technologies (ICT) for health and is inclusive of both mHealth and eHealth” [5] |
Digital physical therapy practice | “Digital physical therapy practice is defined as the health care services, support, and information provided remotely via digital communication and devices” [5] |
Digital therapeutics (DTx) | “Digital therapeutics (DTx) deliver evidence-based therapeutic interventions to patients that are driven by high quality software programs to prevent, manage, or treat a medical disorder or disease. They are used independently or together with medications, devices, or other therapies to optimize patient care and health outcomes. DTx products incorporate advanced technology best practices relating to design, clinical validation, usability, and data security” [13] |
Electronic health (eHealth) | “The cost-effective and secure use of information and communications technologies in support of health and health-related fields, including health-care services, health surveillance, health literature, and health education, knowledge and research” [13, 14] |
Mobile health (mHealth) | “mHealth or mobile as medical and public health practice supported by mobile devices, such as mobile phones, patient monitoring devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and other wireless devices” [13, 15] |
Telecare | “The means by which technologies and related services at a distance are accessed by or provided for people and/or their carers at home or in the wider community, in order to facilitate empowerment or the provision of care and/or support in relation to needs associated with their health and well-being” [16] |
Teleconsultation | “Teleconsultation refers to the electronic communication between a physician and a patient or between two physicians for the purpose of diagnosis and/or treatment” [5] |
Telehealth | “Telehealth is defined as the delivery of health care services, where patients and providers are separated by distance. Telehealth uses ICT for the exchange of information for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases and injuries, research, and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health professionals. Telehealth can contribute to achieving universal health coverage by improving access for patients to quality, cost-effective, health services wherever they may be. It is particularly valuable for those in remote areas, vulnerable groups and ageing populations” [11] |
Telemedicine | “Telemedicine is defined as the delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities” [3] |
Telerehabilitation | “Telerehabilitation refers to the delivery of rehabilitation services via information and communication technologies” [8] |
Remote Monitoring | “The use of devices that collect patient/user vital sign and other data and effect its transmission, in real-time or periodically, to a monitoring centre” [16] |
Tele-assistance | “The assistance given when a health professional or other person, at the location of the user/patient (the originating site), assists the carrying out of a medical act guided by a doctor or other health professional at the service provider site” [16] |
Tele-intervention | “Tele-intervention is a therapeutic medical act which is performed remotely by a physician on a patient, without or with the local presence of other healthcare professional (e.g. telesurgery)” [16] |
Telemonitoring | “The use of communications technologies to remotely collect/send data relevant to the health and well-being of a user / patient to a monitoring centre to assist in diagnosis and monitoring” [16] |
Telephysiotherapy | “Telephysiotherapy is a provision of physiotherapy services at a distance, using telecommunication technology such as video conferencing or telephone meeting, when an in-person visit is not a feasible option “ [17] |
Remote treatment or therapy | “Meeting with a patient through telephone, cellular phone, the internet, or other electronic media in place of or in addition to conventional face-to-face visits to deliver treatment (term is most often used in psychotherapy)” [13] |
Telephone intervention | “Telephone intervention is defined as an intervention that enables healthcare professionals to verbally communicate remotely with caregivers. A healthcare professional is a trained healthcare person who has received specific healthcare education and training in the management and care of people with diagnosed conditions, their family members, significant others or caregivers (e.g., nurses, medical doctors, social workers, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, counsellors/psychologists, and dieticians/nutritionists)” [18] |
Telementoring | “The use of audio, video, and other telecommunications technologies to provide guidance or direction” [16] |
Virtual care | “Virtual care is defined as any interaction occurring remotely between patients and/or members of their circle of care, through any form of communication or information technology with the aim of facilitating or maximizing the quality and effectiveness of patient care” [5] |
Videoconferencing | “Real-time two way transmission of digitised video images between two or more locations” |
Virtual support | “Clinical and community supports involving broadly increased in-home acute and primary care” [5] |