INTRODUCTION
Telehealth by definition is delivering health care services remote from
health-care facilities using telecommunications and virtual technology.
Telehealth is considered the most basic part of e-health, which depends
on far wider range of information and communication technologies[1] . Telemedicine was first used in 1960s [2] .
The main components for implementing telehealth are: Leadership and
governance, to ensure the involvement of stakeholders. Strategy and
investment, by making sure that the plan meets acceptance from
consumers. Legislation, policy and compliance are also essential for
telehealth. Infrastructure entails providing updated equipment
compatible with the required services, designing software compatible
with the needs of the service, as well as proper training of health care
providers to be ready to provide high quality service. Regular
evaluation of the workforce, workshops and training should be provided
on regular bases for continuous appraisal of the program, and to ensure
its progression and evolution. Preparing management teams and proper
structure definitely will assure sustainability and progress of
different telehealth programs [3].
Telehealth in family practice can render promising effects in
connecting, sharing and processing information and data leading to
improving quality of health care delivered on personal and community
basis. As well as reducing costs of health services. This can happen
through initiation of a strategy for using technology in primary care
settings and allow family physicians to be leading the implementation
and development of technology in a manner that suits primary care
services and patient centered approach [4].
Telehealth is crucial to help doctors in rural areas to access
specialists’ services, besides providing medical students education over
distance. It is shown that the assistance of telehealth for primary care
providers in continuous education and acquiring knowledge through peer
communication and reducing isolation as well as tele consultation
through which they could benefit from consulting specialists located in
another area [5].
Telehealth is a multi- phasic system, as it serves patients and
healthcare workers by providing them with the tool to help them in
proper health care and give them the chance to receive training sessions
and conducting research [6].
Egypt is deploying technology in all its services in different
socio-economic applications. As an example of these applications are
e-government, e-businesses and e-learning. Minor steps have been taken
in telehealth but not yet enough [7]. Egypt is aiming to
reach Universal Health Coverage; this increases the demand of telehealth
in routine health services [8].
The current study aimed to measure the awareness of telehealth among
workers of primary health care units and to evaluate and identify change
of attitude of health care workers towards telehealth implementation
after orientation.