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.

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telehealth British  

/ ˈtɛlɪˌhɛlθ /

noun

1. health care based on consultation by telephone and telemedicine

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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.

Example Sentences

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

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

The telehealth platform also warned it could face further profit pressures ahead, citing heavier investments in areas such as international expansion and technology.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 12, 2026

In early March Novo Nordisk agreed to drop a patent infringement lawsuit against Hims in exchange for the telehealth provider’s commitment to sell branded Ozempic and Wegovy through its online pharmacy.

From Barron's • May 11, 2026