Abstract:
Telehealth offers unique opportunities for providing access to hearing healthcare ser- vices to underserved populations. The term telehealth refers to the utilisation of information and communication technology in healthcare. Alternate terminology includes telemedicine, online health, m-health (i.e. mobile health) and e-health.
Telehealth can be employed in a synchronous, real-time manner e.g. an assessment via interactive videoconferencing, or in an asynchronous, store-and-forward manner e.g. digital picture emailed to health care provider, or a hybrid model encompassing synchronous and asynchronous aspects can be used. The aim of telehealth is to improve healthcare access, quality of service delivery, effectiveness and efficiency of health care, and ameliorate the inequitable distribution of health professionals globally. Internet connectivity and technology provide a bridge between patients and health care providers who may otherwise be separated by distance, location, geographical and weather barriers, as well as economic barriers.