Directors of Telehealth

Telehealth has become a major component of the health care system in the past decade or so, but did you know that remote health care began in the 1920s? During this decade, physicians used radio to provide medical advice to health clinics on ships. In the ensuing decades, medical professionals used technology to share data and treat patients remotely. In 1948, the first radiological images were sent via telephone across 24 miles in Pennsylvania. In 1959, the University of Nebraska started using two-way closed-circuit microwave television for medical education and treatment. Soon thereafter, a closed-circuit television link was created between the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute and Norfolk State Hospital for psychiatric consultations. And in the early 1960s, NASA used remote medical monitoring systems to collect data on the health of animals during space travel. Its goal was to obtain insights that would better prepare humans for spaceflight.

In recent years, the invention of the Internet, video conferencing systems, and wearable technology have made it much easier for medical professionals to remotely assess, diagnose, and treat patients. The COVID-19 pandemic, which began in late 2019, fueled strong demand for telehealth services.