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.