Introduction

Telehealth is the use of digital communication technologies, such as video calls, phone calls, remote monitoring devices, and health apps, to provide healthcare services from a distance (Deremer, 2022). While telehealth is becoming more common in today’s healthcare system, it has existed in different forms for decades. Early examples of telehealth included telephone consultations and radio communication that allowed doctors to help patients in remote locations or even medical emergencies at sea (Mahar et al., 2018). As technology advanced, telehealth expanded alongside the development of the internet and digital tools, making it easier for healthcare providers to share medical information, monitor patients remotely, and conduct virtual appointments (Deremer, 2022). The use of telehealth increased drastically during the COVID-19 pandemic as providers needed safer ways to treat patients while limiting in-person contact (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). Telehealth has rapidly transformed healthcare by improving access to care and increasing convenience for patients, but challenges such as changes in patient-provider interactions, policy barriers, and unequal access still affect how widely it is used.

Connection to sts

Telehealth is not just a technology, but a system made up of tools, people, policies, and social values. The relationship between science, technology, and society can be clearly seen in the development of telehealth, which combines medical knowledge with digital communication tools to deliver care. Its use increased in response to social needs such as improving access to healthcare and maintaining care during the COVID-19 pandemic while reducing exposure to illness (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). For example, telehealth has made it easier for patients in rural areas or those with transportation barriers to access medical care (Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, 2018). At the same time, telehealth is also shaping society by changing healthcare norms and expectations. Many patients now expect quicker appointments, more flexible scheduling, and the ability to communicate with providers from home. From an STS perspective, this shows how science and technology are influenced by social needs while also creating new expectations in society.

Telehealth’s impact on access to healthcare

Telehealth has significantly improved access to healthcare for many populations. It allows people in rural areas to see doctors without traveling long distances and helps individuals with disabilities or transportation barriers receive care more easily (Anawade et al., 2024; Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, 2018). Telehealth can also benefit college students and busy individuals by making it easier to schedule appointments around classes or work. In addition, it can lead to fewer missed appointments and more flexible scheduling for patients.

However, access to online healthcare is not equal for everyone. Some people face barriers due to the digital divide, such as limited access to reliable internet, devices, or the digital skills needed to use telehealth platforms (Gajarawala & Pelkowski, 2021). This idea is illustrated in Figure 1. 

Missing voices

As mentioned previously, not all patients benefit from telehealth in the same way. Patients who are comfortable using technology and have stable environments for virtual appointments often benefit the most from telehealth services. However, several groups remain underrepresented in the telehealth system. Low-income communities, elderly patients, non-English speakers, and people with certain disabilities may struggle to fully participate in virtual healthcare (Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation, 2018). When these voices are overlooked, existing healthcare inequalities can become even more pronounced. Because of this, it is important for healthcare providers and policymakers to design telehealth systems that consider the needs of a wider range of patients.

changes in patient-provider interactions

Telehealth has also changed the way patients and healthcare providers communicate with one another. Because visits occur through a screen or phone call, there is less physical presence and more reliance on verbal communication and technology. This can make it harder for providers to observe body language or perform physical exams, which may affect how clearly symptoms are understood (Armany et al., 2025). Building trust and strong relationships can also be more challenging when interactions take place virtually. However, some patients may feel more comfortable speaking with providers from their own homes, which can make communication easier for certain individuals. Telehealth also raises new concerns about privacy and professionalism. Providers must ensure that patient information is protected and that virtual visits remain confidential (Garber et al., 2023). As telehealth continues to grow, both patients and providers must adjust to these new forms of interaction while maintaining trust and professional standards.

Current challenges and future considerations

Despite its many benefits, telehealth still faces several challenges. Technical issues such as unreliable internet connection, platforms that are difficult for users to navigate, and concerns about data privacy can negatively affect both patients and providers (Oliveira et al., 2025). There are also policy challenges, including licensing restrictions across state lines and inconsistent insurance reimbursement for virtual visits (Garber et al., 2023). These issues raise questions about maintaining the same quality of care in virtual settings. Looking ahead, telehealth will likely continue to grow through hybrid healthcare models that combine both in-person and virtual care (Anawade et al., 2024). Emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and remote monitoring devices may further expand telehealth services. With this in mind, the future of telehealth should focus on creating systems that are more equitable and patient-centered.

Conclusion

Telehealth has become an important technology that is changing how healthcare is delivered. It has improved access to care, increased convenience for many patients, and expanded the use of digital tools in medicine. At the same time, telehealth also presents challenges including issues related to technology access, patient-provider communication, and policy regulations. These factors show that telehealth is not just a technological advancement, but a complex system shaped by both innovation and social conditions. As telehealth continues to develop, it is important to consider both its benefits and its limitations. Thinking critically about technologies like telehealth helps us understand how they can improve healthcare while also creating new social challenges.

References

Anawade, P. A., Sharma, D., & Gahane, S. (2024). A Comprehensive Review on Exploring the Impact of Telemedicine on Healthcare Accessibility. Cureus, 16(3), e55996. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.55996

Armany, D., Katelaris, A., Dhar, A., Alghazo, O., Wood, D., Kim, L. H., & Patel, M. I. (2025). Telehealth vs face‐to‐face consultations in a urological oncology clinic: A randomised controlled trial. BJU International, 135, 37–43. https://doi.org/10.1111/bju.16615

Center for Health Law and Policy Innovation. (2018). The promise of telehealth: Strategies to increase access to quality healthcare in rural America. Harvard Law School. https://chlpi.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/Telehealth-and-CHWs_March-2018.pdf

Deremer, C. E. (2022). “CHAPTER 1 Exploring the History and Literature of Telehealth”. In Telehealth: Strategies for Establishing Pharmacy Practice Models in Ambulatory Care Settings. Bethesda MD, USA: ASHP. Retrieved Feb 17, 2026, from https://doi.org/10.37573/9781585286928.001

Gajarawala, S. N., & Pelkowski, J. N. (2021). Telehealth benefits and barriers. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 17(2), 218–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2020.09.013

Garber, K., Chike-Harris, K., Vetter, M. J., Kobeissi, M., Heidesch, T., Arends, R., Teall, A. M., & Rutledge, C. (2023). Telehealth policy and the advanced practice nurse. The Journal for Nurse Practitioners, 19(7), 104655. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nurpra.2023.104655

Mahar, J., Rosencrance, G., & Rasmussen, P. (2018). Telemedicine: Past, present, and future. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 85(12), 938–942. https://doi.org/10.3949/ccjm.85a.17062

Oliveira, J. S. R. d., Fernandez, R. S., Molina, M. R., Pinto, A. C. P. N., Rocha-Filho, C. R., Ferreira, T. M., et al. (2025). Patient safety risk associated with synchronous telehealth: A scoping review. PLOS ONE, 20(12), e0336992. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0336992

Image references

Figure 1: OpenAI. (2026). Split-screen illustration showing digital divide in telehealth access [AI-generated image]. ChatGPT.

AI use disclosure

I used ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot to help identify sources that were relevant to my chapter. I also used these tools for minor grammatical corrections and to help improve the clarity of some of my paragraphs. Additionally, I used ChatGPT to generate an image included in my chapter.