1. Telehealth
Monmouth University
Kaitlyn Howard

2. Definition:
 Telecommunication technologies used to deliver health-
related services or to connect patients and healthcare
providers to maximize patients’ health status.
 A relatively new term in the medical/nursing vocabulary,
referring to a wide range of health services that are
delivered by telecommunications-ready tools such as
telephone, videophone, and computer.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

3. History
O Born from remote monitoring of astronauts by
National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA).
O Earlier examples include postal service or
telegraphs to transmit health information.
O Radio communications were used for medical
support on ships out to sea in the 1920’s.
O Use and advancement of telehealth has increased
in the last 20-30 years.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

4. Facts
 Telehealth monitoring was used for
308,000 patients in the United States in
2012.
 The predicted use of telemonitoring
worldwide in 2017 for patients is 1.8
million
 Telemedicine market to reach $24 billion
by 2016 worldwide
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

5. Success in Telehealth:
 Refined technology
 Clearer images
 Faster transmissions
 Accurate replication of data from
remote locations to a central hub
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

6.  Demographics
 People are living longer lives
 Nursing and healthcare worker shortages
 Demand for nurses exceeds the supply
 Chronic diseases and conditions
 Aging population with chronic illnesses is
expected to increase
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett
The Driving Forces:

7.  Educated consumers
 More technologically savvy
 Interested in consumer-directed healthcare
plans
 Economics
 Telehealth should be included to fill the gap of
patient overload and healthcare worker
shortages
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

8.  Store-and-Forward Telehealth Transmission
 Images, video, and audio are captured and stored for
later use (safely and securely)
 Real-Time Telehealth
 Allows for live interaction to take place
 Remote Monitoring
 Devices are used to capture biometric data
 Example: EKG’s and EEG’s
 Telephony
 Telephone monitoring (most basic form)
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

9.  Distance education
 Administrative meetings
 Research using the Internet
These all overcome the obstacles of distance by
using telecommunications
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

10. Telenursing
• To provide nursing care through
telecommunications.
Benefits:
 People who are immobile
 Living in a remote or difficult to reach place
 Chronic illnesses or diseases
 Debilitating diseases( ALS, Parkinson’s, etc.)
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

11. Consumers will drive healthcare
and the way it is delivered in the
future.
Nurses must be open to change
and be ready to embrace the
evolving practice models.
McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2009). Nursing informatics and the foundation of
knowledge (3rd ed.). Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett