telehealth

noun

tele·​health ˌte-lə-ˈhelth 

 also  -ˈheltth

: health care provided remotely to a patient in a separate location using two-way voice and visual communication (as by computer or cell phone) : telemedicine

Instead of forcing sick people to get off their couches, telehealth lets people stay in their homes while getting sound medical advice from professionals.

—Sarah Harrison

—often used before another noun

a telehealth appointment

telehealth systems

Some also will expand their use of telehealth services, which connect rural patients to specialized providers so they don't have to drive for treatment.

—Meg Wingerter

Examples of telehealth in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Amazon has also shuttered some of its more experimental and unprofitable initiatives, including its telehealth offering, a brick-and-mortar delivery program, and try-on service for clothing and shoes. —Annie Palmer, CNBC, 16 Jan. 2025

An analysis of the use of telehealth by children and adolescents from 2,445 households reached similar conclusions. —Ellen Barry, New York Times, 15 Jan. 2025

By the numbers: Roughly 2,800 abortions in Texas were provided monthly via telehealth under shield law protections between April to June 2024, according to the latest available data from the Society of Family Planning's #WeCount report. —Nicole Cobler, Axios, 9 Jan. 2025

But now, it’s become more common for pill prescriptions to be made by telehealth. —Geoff Mulvihill and Kevin S. Vineys, Los Angeles Times, 28 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

tele- + health

First Known Use

1975, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

telehealth

noun

tele·​health

ˌtel-ə-ˈhelth

: telemedicine

Medical Definition

telehealth

noun

tele·​health ˌtel-ə-ˈhelth 

: health care provided remotely to a patient in a separate location using two-way voice and visual communication (as by computer or cell phone) : telemedicine

Telehealth extends access, and it has the potential of making healthcare services more convenient for patients, especially those in rural areas, those with small children … and those with mobility restrictions.

—Clemens Scott Kruse et al., BMJ Open

—often used before another noun

telehealth visits

The states of Virginia, Montana, and Alaska, which all have large populations of veterans, will each receive about $300 000 to create or upgrade telehealth services for veterans who must travel long distances to access medical care …

—Bridget M. Kuehn, The Journal of the American Medical Association