Telehealth is nothing new. Derived from the Greek word for “far”, telehealth has been around since the invention of the telephone. Since then, thousands of innovative technology-enabled remote-care solutions have been invented and registered around the world, with national healthcare systems and large providers starting to develop targeted digital strategies in the early 2000.
This strategic shift toward telehealth approaches saw providers move 5-10 per cent of their consultations to virtual platforms. Early adopters were quick to recognise the benefits of telehealth solutions: an immediate improvement in patient access, particularly in rural areas; a reduced burden on hospitals; and greater multi-disciplinary cooperation between remote healthcare professionals. However, up until 2020, the speed of technology uptake was held back by several factors, such as the slow development of reimbursement solutions, and the lack of research into the safety and efficacy of telehealth.
