[The current status, feasibility and difficulties of tele-home care]

Tele-home care (THC) is an innovative nursing care mode and has been applied in home care services in European countries and America. It has shown tremendous effects and benefits in disease administration and care costs. In view of increases in medical expenditure, and increases in the aged, chronically diseased population, our government has been actively supporting long-term care networks and has listed THC as an important plan in the nation's development. However, whether this new medical electron technology is applicable to the home-care practice in Taiwan or what will be its impact on the competitive medical care market, have been little discussed. The purpose of this paper, therefore, was to introduce the THC experience from abroad in order to provide a new direction for the nursing staff. In this article, we will introduce and define THC, the equipment it requires, its application, feasibility and difficulties. In preparation for the advent of a scientific and technological 21st century, we hope that nursing staff will be able to consider alternatives to traditional forms of home care and give a try to this revolutionary care mode in order to provide continued care for patients and their families. Furthermore, we hope to encourage experts and scholars in the field of nursing and medical information to invest their effort and intelligence in the study of THC.