Telemedicine and telehealth are terms that are sometimes used interchangeably. There is, however, a distinction between the two. Telehealth is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of technologies and services utilized to provide patient care and improve the entire healthcare delivery system. It differs from telemedicine because it covers a wider variety of remote medical services. In addition to clinical treatment, telehealth can refer to non-clinical activities such as providing training, continuing medical education, and administrative meetings.
On the other hand, telemedicine uses electronic communications and software to provide healthcare services to patients without an in-person visit. Telemedicine is commonly used for preventative care support, follow-up visits, remote post-hospitalization care, specialist consultation, School-based telehealth, chronic illness care, and a range of other clinical services that may be given remotely over secure video and audio communications.