Defining telehealth service package for health care receivers in Tabriz health centers

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: Telehealth has been defined as the remote delivery of health care services using information and communication technology. Telehealth services can open up novel channels of communication between patients as well as family care givers enabling improved sharing of critical information and experience and resulting toward improving health. The aim this systematic review is to investigate the features and approaches of telehealth services in primary care. Material and Methods: This study was conducted through systematic review and Qualitative method (focus group).Partticipants in this study were Health service providers and health recipients.The Pub Med, Web of Sciences and Google Scholar were searched for relevant articles published up until November 2018.Data were extracted according to pre-defined form and check for completeness and accuracy by a second reviewer. The second phase consisted of focus group discussion sessions. Results: we extracted information on the general characteristics of telehealth services, kinds of primary health care services and necessary requirements and infrastructure for providing health care through telehealth services packages. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the implementation of Telehealth requires creating a culture in the community and creating the necessary infrastructure and removing barriers such as access to technology, insurance problems and reimbursements. The use of Telehealth packages seems to facilitate the implementation of these services.