https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4948-6086
While sometimes telemedicine and telehealth are synonymous, they are differentiated by some; with telemedicine restricted to service delivery by physicians only, and telehealth indicating services provided by health professionals in general. The World Health Organization uses the broad definition:
The delivery of health care services, where distance is a critical factor, by all health care professionals using information and communication technologies for the exchange of valid information for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of disease and injuries, research and evaluation, and for the continuing education of health care providers, all in the interests of advancing the health of individuals and their communities. (World Health Organization, Citation1998)
While the use of telehealth is not new (Shigekawa et al., Citation2018), the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its growth. As outlined in the recently published global report on assistive technology, telehealth is considered a valuable tool to improve access to assistive technology services for people across the world, enabling equitable access to vulnerable and excluded populations (World Health Organization & United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), Citation2022). For example, its application has been shown in screening, diagnosis, and hearing aid fittings (Govender & Mars, Citation2018) and orthotic, prosthetic and wheelchair service provision (Eddison et al., Citation2021; Ghosh et al., Citation2022). It has been shown to have a positive impact in both higher- (Eddison et al., Citation2021) and lower-income (Ghosh et al., Citation2022) settings.
For the successful implementation of telehealth, it is important that the focus is not only on computer hardware, software and IT systems but also on the people and processes required (Reddy & Brumpton, Citation2021). Consideration of the needs and preferences of vulnerable and hard-to-reach groups is required, including people with low/limited digital literacy skills, people with limited control over or access to mobile devices, people speaking minority languages, migrant populations in new settings, and people with disabilities such as sight or hearing impairment (World Health Organization, Citation2019). Both assistive technology providers and service users must have access to appropriate technology (e.g., smartphones) and training on how to use telehealth platforms.
Telehealth has the potential to reduce health inequities by enabling people to access digital health information and tools to help them to better manage their health and care. It also offers more convenience and choice to service users who cannot or may not want to engage with assistive technology providers face-to-face e.g., homeless people and people with mental health problems or debilitating illnesses. Telehealth may provide a more personalized approach to healthcare focusing on the delivery of services in a way that matters to the service user, aligned with their preferences and personal circumstances. It also has the potential to reduce the burden of treatment for people with long-term health conditions. Nevertheless, when developing telehealth services, it is important to consider that not all types of services can be successfully delivered via telehealth and that telehealth consultations are not suitable for all service users.
The combined use of telehealth with the latest technologies and techniques such as additive manufacturing or 3D printing utilized in the design, development and delivery of many assistive technology products has the potential to have a significant positive socio-economic impact around the world. It can enable access to assistive technology for rural and remote communities in the Global South, allowing access to assistive technology without the need to travel to a hospital/clinic. Removing the need to travel results in reduced cost and time for both assistive technology providers and service users, as well as supporting global environmental goals by reducing carbon emissions. Enabling wider access to assistive technology allows people to retain their independence and participate in society.
The Assistive Technology journal welcomes submissions on the use of telehealth in the provision of assistive technology services.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.
References
- Eddison, N., Healy, A., Calvert, S., & Chockalingam, N. (2021). The emergence of telehealth in orthotic services across the United Kingdom. Assistive Technology, 1–6. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2021.1995531
- Ghosh, R., Healy, A., Prabhune, A., Mallavaram, A., Raju, S., & Chockalingam, N. (2022). Provision of rehabilitation and assistive technology services in a low resource setting during the COVID-19 pandemic and introduction of telehealth: Service users’ and providers’ perspectives. Assistive Technology, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1080/10400435.2022.2095582
- Govender, S. M., & Mars, M. (2018). Assessing the efficacy of asynchronous telehealth-based hearing screening and diagnostic services using automated audiometry in a rural South African school. The South African Journal of Communication Disorders, 65(1). https://doi.org/10.4102/SAJCD.V65I1.582
- Reddy, V., & Brumpton, L. (2021). Digital-driven service improvement during the COVID-19 pandemic. Paediatrics & Child Health, 31(5), 220–222. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.PAED.2021.02.006
- Shigekawa, E., Fix, M., Corbett, G., Roby, D. H., & Coffman, J. (2018). The current state of telehealth evidence: A rapid review. Health Affairs, 37(12), 1975–1982. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2018.05132
- World Health Organization. (1998). A health telematics policy in support of WHO’s Health-for-all strategy for global health development : Report of the WHO Group Consultation on Health Telematics, 11–16 December, Geneva, 1997. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/63857
- World Health Organization. (2019). Recommendations on digital interventions for health system strengthening. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789241550505
- World Health Organization & United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF). (2022). Global report on assistive technology. https://apps.who.int/iris/handle/10665/354357