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telehealth

American  
[tel-uh-helth] / ˈtɛl əˌhɛlθ /

noun

  1. a system that uses internet and telecommunications technology to provide a wide range of healthcare services, as telemedicine, education, patient care management, and remote monitoring of vital signs.

    Telehealth offers patients feedback that is more immediate than a traditional office appointment.

  2. (loosely) telemedicine.


telehealth British  
/ ˈtɛlɪˌhɛlθ /

noun

  1. health care based on consultation by telephone and telemedicine

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of telehealth

First recorded in 1975–80; tele- 1 ( def. ) + health ( def. )

Explanation

Telehealth is the delivery of healthcare services and information remotely, using digital technology. If you're too sick to leave the house, but not so sick that you need to go to the hospital, telehealth might be a great option. Telehealth uses modern technologies like video conferencing, monitoring devices, and online informational videos and websites to help bridge the literal gap between patients and healthcare providers. By removing the need for travel, telehealth makes healthcare more accessible, particularly for people who live in remote areas or have mobility issues. It allows patients to talk to their doctors, monitor their health, and manage their care from the comfort of home.

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For Wells, who has served on the board of the telehealth provider since 2020, Tuesday’s purchase of Hims shares was his first on the open market since August 2021 External link.

From Barron's • May 27, 2026

At Carafem, a reproductive healthcare company that prescribes abortion medication via telehealth in 19 states and D.C., providers have offered the option of misoprostol-only abortions since 2020.

From Slate • May 18, 2026

The change, which the FDA made permanent in 2023, allowed the pill to be prescribed through telehealth and sent to patients by mail.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 14, 2026

Study finds that telehealth abortions are higher in areas where people lived in poverty or had to travel to reach a clinic.

From Los Angeles Times • May 14, 2026

ET on Thursday how to handle a case seeking to block the drug’s telehealth approval immediately.

From Salon • May 13, 2026

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