Telehealth leverages technology to connect patients and providers when they are not in the same physical location.
Use of telehealth services improves access to care, especially when patients face travel barriers or cannot secure a convenient appointment for an urgent – but non-life-threatening – medical issue. Telehealth can also be effective in combating infectious disease outbreaks such as coronavirus (COVID-19), as it can be employed to triage the sick and care for others remotely. The HPC has conducted research and made recommendations to improve patient access and quality of care while maximizing the cost-saving potential of telehealth.