What does telehealth mean?
Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare to patients who are physically separated from their clinicians, using technologies such as video conferencing, telephones, and secure internet platforms. It may include medical consultations, diagnosis, treatment planning, prescription services, patient monitoring, and access to specialists. The term became especially prominent with the expansion of virtual care and remote clinical services, although its practical uses long predate widespread video-based appointments. Telehealth is closely related to telemedicine, but the two terms overlap and are sometimes used interchangeably. Its advantages include improved access for rural, isolated, immobile, or housebound patients, as well as reduced travel and shorter waits in some circumstances. At the same time, it can create challenges involving technology access, privacy, communication, and the suitability of remote assessment. As a modern compound formed from the Greek-derived prefix tele-, meaning “at a distance,” and health, telehealth aptly describes healthcare that crosses physical space.
nounThe provision of healthcare, medical advice, and related services to patients remotely, using telecommunications such as video, telephone, or internet-based platforms.
- The remote provision of healthcare and medical services through telecommunications technology.
"After the rural clinic closed, telehealth gave patients continued access to specialist consultations."
"She used telehealth to review her test results and discuss treatment with her doctor."
"The hospital expanded telehealth consultations for patients who had difficulty travelling."
"Telehealth has become an important part of rural healthcare systems."
The word normally denotes the service or practice as a whole. When different programmes or services are being counted individually, writers usually use plural forms such as “telehealth services” rather than pluralizing telehealth itself.
"Telehealth has expanded rapidly across both urban and rural healthcare systems."
Built from roots meaning “at a distance” and “health,” telehealth makes the physical distance between doctor and patient matter less.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does telehealth come from?
Telehealth is a modern English compound formed from the combining form tele-, meaning “at a distance” and derived from Greek tēle, “far,” together with health. It developed during the late 20th century alongside advances in telecommunications and remote medical services. Related English words such as telephone, television, and telepathy use the same Greek-derived distance root, although telehealth specifically combines that root with healthcare.
How telehealth is actually used
Telehealth is a formal and widely used term in medicine, healthcare administration, public policy, and insurance. It is broadly neutral, though it often appears in institutional or technical contexts rather than casual conversation.
Easily confused with telehealth
Telemedicine is closely related but traditionally emphasizes clinical services delivered through telecommunications, whereas telehealth is often used more broadly for healthcare delivery and support.
Telepathy refers to the purported communication of thoughts without conventional speech, while telehealth involves electronic healthcare services.