Rationale, history, and basics of telehealth

Abstract Telemedicine started as a method to provide medical support when a face-to-face interaction between the providers was difficult due to the distance, cost, or simple unavailability of a suitable transport. Examples include remote islands, space travel, mountain peaks, and a poor transport network. It also helps when the health seeker is immobile due to coma, fracture or paralysis, or any emergency when time is of essence. Information and communication technology (ICT) is used to transfer information instead of people. Telehealth incorporates telemedicine but goes beyond. It provides public health benefits and education both for the public and professionals. Additional terms include eHealth, which means health provision through electronic means, and mHealth when mobiles or smart tabs are utilized for health support or delivery. Decreasing frequency of physician visits in chronic diseases and home-based monitoring for the infirm are additional benefits. After an introduction of various terms, this chapter takes the reader through the history of telehealth and then details of what, why, when, where, how, some issues, and finally what the future beholds.