Type of technology
The drop down list of technology categories enable refinement to be made by the main purpose of the telecare or telehealth system being implemented.
This list enables a distinction to be made between the following:
- Home-based medical applications – typically technologies designed to enable self-care at home without regular support from a health or social care professional.
- Vital-signs monitoring – typically involving the remote exchange of physiological data between a patient at home and medical staff at a GP surgery or hospital to assist in diagnosis and monitoring, such as blood glucose monitoring.
- Safety and security monitoring – typically the continuous, automatic and remote monitoring of real time emergencies in order to manage the risks associated with independent living.
- Information and support services – typically the provision of telephone or internet-based advice and support systems either with care professionals, peer groups, on-line educational resources or a combination.
An additional category, where such technology is combined (or is not defined) has been included.
The categories chosen are intentionally non-specific to any particular telehealth and telecare equipment modality, such as those used by NHS PASA in its National Framework Agreement for Telecare.
These categories were adapted from those used in the most recent and comprehensive systematic review of the benefits of home telecare by James Barlow and colleagues [1].
Notes
1. Categories in the database were adapted from the definitions provided in: Barlow, James, Singh, Debbie, Bayer, Steffen, Curry, Richard (2007) A systematic review of the benefits of home telecare for frail elderly people and those with long-term conditions; Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare, 13: 172-179