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Studies and experience have identified that telehealth — the use of electronic means such as video or telephone to deliver health care remotely — has many benefits for patients, health care providers and health systems, including reduced costs, improved health care access, productivity gains, and increased satisfaction, convenience and efficiency. Beyond direct benefits, there is a widely held view that telehealth may potentially mitigate the negative impact of health workforce shortages many countries face, especially in rural areas. Telehealth can help with access to health care professionals in rural areas by providing patients with an opportunity to seek expertise outside their local area and hence reduce the pressure on the local workfotce. It can also decrease rural and remote practitioners’ isolation and reinforce their confidence and sense of security by providing access to a second opinion from experienced practitioners. Moreover, clinicians in rural areas can acquire skills through experiential learning, by observing experienced practitioners via telehealth; they then get the chance to apply these skills firsthand when needed.

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Authors: Sagda Osman, Kate Churruca, Louise A Ellis and Jeffrey Braithwaite

Article Type: Perspective