Unlocking Opportunities for Innovation and Digitization of Musculoskeletal Care Delivery

Abstract

Telemedicine is an established method of providing health care through digital mediums and has recently gained much attention within the field of orthopaedic surgery because of the social and biologic pressures imposed by COVID-19. However, a more diverse and all-encompassing concept of healthcare digitalization, deemed Telehealth , has emerged simultaneously because both healthcare providers and industries have recognized the potential efficacy and breath of applications possible with the digitalization of health care. Telehealth is a distinct concept compared with telemedicine and can be conceptualized as an umbrella term which not only encompasses telemedicine, but several digital means of healthcare services, including remote patient monitoring and physical therapy. The purpose of the current work was to comprehensively introduce the various applications of Telehealth, their relevance in the current healthcare infrastructure, and future implications for orthopaedic surgery through an evidence-based discussion and commentary.