Some successes and limitations with telehealth in Canada

Canada has taken important steps towards establishing telehealth within its health-rare system. However, in many areas telehealth in Canada has yet to progress beyond the stage of testing feasibility. A recent survey of eight Canadian telehealth programmes that are using videoconferencing indicated that there is little evidence of either clinical or economic benefits compa red with conventional care. There are examples of sustainable, routine tele health services in Canada. However, overall, the number of patients seen by telehealth is still very small in comparison with the number of face-to-fa ce visits. 'People-related' factors seem dominant in determining the degree of success of telehealth applications.