Telehealth scope

Telehealth activities can be found in a various clinical and specialties areas.

To avoid the use of a multitude of terms, telehealth practices have been categorized into six main activities. These are general and cover all needs in clinical practice.

Activity carried out by a professional who provides services to a patient remotely. A teleconsultation can be used to:

• make or confirm a diagnosis
• follow up on a health condition
• adjust a treatment

Example: A cancer patient uses their computer to meet virtually with their oncology pivot nurse (OPN).

Activity that allows a health professional to give their opinion to another health professional. Tele-advice is provided when the patient is not there and helps to make or confirm a diagnosis and to choose or adjust a treatment.

Example: A family physician requests a clinical advice from a specialist via a computer platform dedicated to this function.

Activity carried out by an expert professional with another professional. The expert professional remotely assists a colleague who is performing an intervention with a patient.

Example: A stomotherapist nurse assists a nursing colleague in a CHSLD while taking care of a resident’s wound. The care nurse uses a mobile telehealth cart equipped with a computer and a camera.

Monitoring activity carried out remotely by a professional for a patient. The patient sends information on a daily basis using a technological tool. The professional looks at the data and carries out continuous remote monitoring. This activity allows the patient to:

• share their symptoms by completing questionnaires
• communicate directly with their health care team
• be given information and advice as needed

Example: A person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) uses their digital tablet at home to answer questions about their condition and symptoms on a daily basis. Their respiratory therapist takes into account the results received to adjust treatment and schedule a meeting if needed.

Learning activity carried out by a professional with one or more people (patient or professional). Tele-education can be used to provide information remotely to a patient about:

• their illness
• their symptoms
• the right actions for their health

Example: A kinesiologist from a cardiac rehabilitation center shows exercises to a group of participants at home during a live virtual session.

Activity carried out between a health care facility and a court of law. A remote court appearance is intended for people who need to see a judge in connection with their mental state. It allows the person to appear in court without having to travel.

Example: A person admitted to a legal psychiatric unit appears before a judge through a secure video calling application, without the need to travel and spend several hours at the courthouse.