Telemedicine involves the use of medical/health information that can be exchanged from one site to another via electronic communications to improve patients' health status. The term ‘Telehealth,’ which encompasses a broader definition of remote healthcare that does not always involve clinical services, is also closely associated with telemedicine. Telemedicine and/or Telehealth could involve videoconferencing, transmission of still images, e-health including patient portals, remote monitoring of vital signs, continuing medical education and nursing call centers.

The Telemedicine/Telehealth is not a separate medical specialty by itself and it provides an effective model that can involve satellite, cell phone and other technologies to deliver healthcare, medical education and training to urban and remote rural areas. This model will be ideal for India where access to healthcare in rural areas is still very limited. In India and other developing countries, health care institutions such as rural primary healthcare centers (PHCs), hospitals (tertiary care hospitals), teaching hospitals and other healthcare organizations can deliver healthcare through this model more quickly and efficiently in cost effective manner. Products and services related to telemedicine can be part of a larger investment in either information technology or the delivery of clinical care. It is also notable that there is usually no distinction made between services provided on site and those provided through telemedicine in the reimbursement fee structure.

This model is a great way to deliver healthcare though specific programs and services. Each component however may involve different providers and consumers.