During the spread of Ebola in Africa (2014-2019), a mobile app Ebola Contact Tracing was utilized. The main feature of this app was to monitor and contact trace confirmed Ebola cases. The app allowed for a fast and secure way to monitor confirmed and potential cases. 

Ebola Contact Tracing App

During the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak in 2003, Taiwan implemented teleconsultation for patients with SARS. Experts were able to communicate with patients remotely by using a computer software and accessories (webcam, microphone, speakers). 

SARS Teleconsultation 

The Swiss Centre for Telemedicine, Medgate is available 24/7 for influenza symptoms. Patients call the center, then a telemedical assistant identifies and records the symptoms, and the physicians receive the information for evaluation. This method is helpful to find an influenza outbreak early-on.

Swiss Centre for Telemedicine

- Ebola Contact Tracing App
- Swiss Centre for Telemedicine
- SARS Teleconsultation 

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Telehealth is health-related services and information through electronic communication technologies. It allows long-distance patient and clinician care, education, and monitoring. Telemedicine is sometimes used as a synonym, or is used in a more limited sense to describe remote clinical services, such as diagnosis and monitoring.

Telehealth (Telemedicine)

Telehealth are health-related services and information through electronic communication technologies to help patients with or people influenced by COVID-19. It allows long-distance patient and clinician care, education, and monitoring. Telemedicine is sometimes used as a synonym, or is used in a more limited sense to describe remote clinical services, such as diagnosis and monitoring. 

Telehealth (telemedicine) and COVID-19

Telehealth Programs

Despite developments in technology, access is still a major issue.

Globally, only 24% of the most vulnerable have access to internet connection, versus 74% of the least vulnerable according to 2019 polling by Gallup’s Basic Needs Vulnerability Index.   Although this divide is notable globally,  this inequity is even more pronounced in developing economies in which the least vulnerable are more than three times as likely to have internet access than the most vulnerable.  This presents a major challenge to telemedicine as an accessible institution. 

This is in part due to prohibitively high costs for individuals and in part due to limitations of infrastructure which pose the largest barriers in rural regions and developing countries.

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