How is 'telemedicine' best defined?

Telemedicine is best defined as the delivery of healthcare services via telecommunications technology, allowing remote consultations and care. This definition captures the essence of telemedicine, which leverages technology to facilitate communication and diagnosis between patients and healthcare providers, eliminating the need for physical appointments when possible.

Telemedicine encompasses a wide range of services, including virtual consultations, remote monitoring, and even teletherapy, making healthcare access more convenient and efficient, especially for individuals in remote areas or those with mobility challenges.

In contrast, other definitions provided do not encompass the full scope of telemedicine. While mobile apps for health tracking are related to health technology, they do not specifically refer to the provision of medical care. A type of health insurance policy that offers online consultations only narrowly defines telemedicine and does not address its broader application in healthcare delivery. Lastly, a medical service requiring in-person visits does not align with the very premise of telemedicine, which focuses on reducing or eliminating the need for such visits through remote service delivery.