Overview of telehealth technology and its applications
Dr. Rob’s Notes for Video
Telehealth technology refers to the use of digital information and communications technologies to deliver health-related services and information remotely.
This can include telemedicine, remote patient monitoring, and other forms of digital healthcare delivery.
Telehealth technology allows healthcare providers to deliver care to patients in remote or underserved areas, as well as to patients who are unable to leave their homes due to illness or disability. It also offers new opportunities for education and research in the healthcare field.
Learn It
Telehealth technology uses digital tools to deliver healthcare services, communication, and education remotely. It includes telemedicine visits through video or phone, remote patient monitoring using devices like pulse oximeters, smart inhalers, wearable sensors, blood pressure cuffs, and digital apps that track symptoms or medications.
Telehealth platforms also allow providers to send secure messages, share test results, and guide patients through treatment plans without requiring an in-person visit.
This technology is especially valuable for individuals in rural or underserved areas, people with mobility challenges, or those managing chronic conditions who need frequent check-ins. Telehealth reduces travel barriers, increases access to specialists, and helps patients receive high-quality care from home.
It also expands opportunities for healthcare research and education, allowing professionals to collaborate virtually, train students remotely, and gather real-time data from diverse populations.
As digital healthcare continues to grow, understanding telehealth technology is essential for anyone pursuing a career in health, technology, or patient support.
Live It
Explore telehealth tools by using them yourself. Try accessing your own patient portal, reviewing test results, or sending a secure message to a provider.
Schedule a mock video call with a friend or family member to practice adjusting lighting, sound, and camera angle—skills that make telemedicine visits more successful.
Experiment with digital health apps or wearable devices that track steps, heart rate, or sleep patterns. Notice how these tools collect data and imagine how clinicians use similar information in remote patient monitoring. Research how your local health systems use telehealth and identify which populations benefit most.
Reflect on barriers people might face: unreliable Wi-Fi, limited digital literacy, or discomfort with technology. Recognizing these challenges helps you understand why digital health support roles—like Digital Health Navigators—are becoming essential.
Share It
Create a short infographic or slide titled “What Telehealth Technology Can Do.” Highlight how telemedicine helps patients receive care from home, how remote monitoring supports chronic disease management, and how digital tools improve access to specialists.
Share it in class or on your Force for Health feed.
Offer to help someone prepare for a telehealth appointment—testing their camera, checking sound, or helping them log in. Explain how these small steps reduce stress and improve communication between patient and provider.
Share one insight you gained about how telehealth expands healthcare access. Encourage classmates to imagine how technology can help solve healthcare challenges in their community, and invite them to explore career paths in digital health, telemedicine support, or health technology innovation.
