Refocussing our attention on 'need' in the application of telehealth

Given that e-health (including telehealth) is an opportunity cost (i.e., redirecting already scarce healthcare resources away from more traditional healthcare delivery needs), performing needs assessment ensures that investment of resources in e-health is appropriate. Yet the current literature shows research is on clever, narrow, or 'one disease' telehealth applications (e.g., telediabetes; telesurgery), or creation of electronic records (e.g., EHR's; EMRs; HIS's) and accumulation of 'big data' (e.g. biosurveillance). Given the reality of comorbidity, the complexity of telesurgery, and the lack of successful country-wide EHR implementations, are we using our investments in e-health wisely? The requirement for needs assessment to guide selection and implementation of evidence-based and needs-based e-health solutions is seldom adhered to. We must refocus our efforts on more pragmatic needs. Where might insight to evidence-based health needs come from? Using South Africa as an example, this paper highlights several readily available resources, and how they may guide future telehealth implementations in South Africa and elsewhere.