From Telemedicine to Telehealth to eHealth: Where Does mHealth Fit?

Abstract

The field of telemedicine, which emerged more than 40 years ago, has evolved from one-way transmission of information primarily for the purpose of diagnosis and treatment monitoring to robust telecommunications systems that enable virtual engagement between patients and providers. The technology evolution was made possible by the advent of high-speed processing and broadband transmission innovations. A forthcoming driver, changes in reimbursement practices associated with the Affordable Care Act, may impel the implementation of applications to a level more closely aligned with what we can and should do via remote health care, than what we have been financially motivated to do in past years.