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

Furthermore, there are direct-to-consumer telehealth and e-commerce platforms, which may offer drugs at lower prices. —Trefis Team, Forbes, 11 Dec. 2024

Expand access in rural areas, including to obstetrics, by offering new incentives for rural health care facilities and improving telehealth coverage. —Kayla Dwyer, The Indianapolis Star, 5 Dec. 2024

The bicameral Republican offer includes a three-year extension of Medicare’s telehealth and hospital-at-home programs. —Joseph Choi, The Hill, 4 Dec. 2024

The Supreme Court ruling also could be life-altering for physicians like Dr. Izzy Lowell, whose telehealth practice, QueerMed, provides hormone therapy and other services for transgender and nonbinary people. —Chelsea Bailey, CNN, 1 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