The Same Language Speak We Do - Consensus Terminology for Telehealth

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Digital Health
• Telemedicine

Background:

• e-Health solutions are increasingly interjurisdictional.
• Clear communication is vital for successful e-health implementation and scaling.
• A lack of standardized terminology hinders effective global application of telehealth.

Purpose of the Study:

• To address the need for an agreed-upon taxonomy and terminology for telehealth.
• To explain, propose, and recommend terms for an international consensus-based telehealth terminology.
• To highlight the importance of clear and concise communication in telehealth.

Main Methods:

• Conducted two structured database literature searches.
• Identified literature relevant to telehealth/telemedicine taxonomy and terminology.
• Developed a telehealth terminology based on literature review.

Main Results:

• Searches yielded 162 (terminology) and 447 (taxonomy) resources.
• Only 4 (terminology) and 5 (taxonomy) resources met inclusion criteria.
• A telehealth terminology was developed from the identified literature.

Conclusions:

• The literature confirms a significant lack of a common telehealth taxonomy and terminology.
• Existing proposed terminologies have not achieved universal adoption.
• Developing, agreeing upon, and using clear telehealth terminology is imperative for global adoption and accurate communication.