TELEHEALTH CONSUMER-PROVIDER INTERACTION

As we move through the first decade of a new centurya global health care crisis threatens the future.Non-communicable or chronic illness includingcardiovascular disease cancer respiratory diseaseand diabetes are leadingcauses of morbidity and mortality. The pandemictermed a silent epidemic is a by-product of culturaltransformation and disengagement of individualresponsibility. Technology arguably one of thecontributing elements to the escalation of socialdisease can be a driver to improve health educationhealth promotion and clinical care. Effective healthcare for a chronic condition requires a model ofongoing health education and close communicationbetween the individual and the provider. Culturallysensitive health education including support andreinforcement is accomplished via telecommunicationchannels. The channels also provide a cost-effectivemechanism to convey clinical variables such as bloodglucose insulin administration weight andblood pressure. Ongoing transfer of clinicalinformation allows for timely intervention andimproved medical control.