Abstract
This column is devoted to the summary of research and evaluation articles on telehomecare. Telehomecare encompasses a number of different modes ranging from communication with providers through the Internet to the use of different apparatus at home for measuring patient vital signs to videoconferencing. These strategies have the potential to increase access to services, thereby improving quality of care and health outcomes. They have the potential to improve preventive care and early intervention while decreasing more costly emergency care.
Despite the potential benefits, telehomecare has not been widely implemented. The following summaries provide details on some of the successes and challenges in the implementation of telehealth programs. For additional details about the interventions and studies described, we suggest that our readers go to the original articles.