Telehealth, Telecare, Telemedicine, and Virtual Care — What is the Difference?

Defining Remote Health Care Terms

Dayna Fischer

As physical distancing continues due to COVID-19, you might hear and use the terms telehealth, telecare, telemedicine and virtual care more often. Although they overlap, each term has its own definition and should be used correctly. Keeping them straight can be confusing so we defined them below, including a related fifth term, e-consult.

Telehealth is an umbrella term that includes telecare, telemedicine, and virtual care. It refers to all health care services that are available, and are often enhanced with remote delivery. According to the Center for Connected Health Policy, telehealth includes dentistry, counseling, physical and occupational therapy, home health, chronic disease management, disaster management, consumer, and professional education.

In broader terms, telehealth includes education services, patient consults, public health, and health administration. It can include technology that monitors vital signs, allows doctors to make diagnosis remotely, and e-prescribe medication.

Telecare refers to technology such as mobile monitoring systems, medical alert systems and telecommunications, for example computers and phones. Telecare technology allows patients to live more independently in their own homes while remaining cared for by their doctor through technology.

Telemedicine uses telecommunications to provide clinical consults and education remotely. Video consults between patient and physician or specialist, digital transmission of digital imaging, remote diagnosis, and evaluations are considered telemedicine. Apps are also a big advancement in telemedicine and allow patients to monitor their care from a phone or tablet.

Virtual care refers to the care a provider communicates and gives to their patients long distance. Video, instant messaging, home monitoring tools, apps, computers, and phones are all used in virtual care.

The difference between virtual care and telehealth is often confused. Virtual care refers to the care provided to the patient by the health provider through technology. Telehealth is much broader. As mentioned before, telehealth includes technology as well as public health, health administration, and health education for both health care professionals and patients. However, the definition differs between federal and state agencies.

E-consult is an unofficial fifth category. An e-consult refers to the use of telehealth technology to share patient information between health care providers, rather than from patient to doctor. For example, a specialist like a radiologist might share a diagnostic image with a general practitioner through an e-consult.

Summary

Telehealth plays an important role in providing health care services to patients. It is especially valuable for people living in rural and remote areas that do not have easy access to, or enough doctors practicing in their area. With the onslaught of COVID-19, virtual care is replacing office visits more frequently. It is a convenient and safe way to keep all patients, but especially the elderly and immunocompromised safe.

If you are still unclear about how the terms differ, the term telehealth is a safe way to go. Consider it an umbrella that covers all four terms.

In good health. MT

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