Telehealth: MedlinePlus

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itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Home</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="1"/> </div> <div itemscope itemprop="itemListElement" itemtype="http://schema.org/ListItem"> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthtopics.html" itemprop="item"><span itemprop="name">Health Topics</span></a> → <meta itemprop="position" content="2"/> </div> <div> <span>Telehealth</span> </div> </div> </div> <span class="page-url print-only">URL of this page: https://medlineplus.gov/telehealth.html</span> <div id="topic"> <article> <div class="page-info"> <div class="page-title syndicate"> <a id="start" name="start"></a> <h1 itemprop="name" class="with-also"> Telehealth </h1> <span class="alsocalled">Also called: Telemedicine</span> </div> <div class="page-actions"></div> </div> <div class="main"> <section id="toc-section"> <div id="table-of-contents"> <span class="toc-label">On this page</span> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Basics</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Summary" href="#summary">Summary</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Start Here" href="#cat_51">Start Here</a> </li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Learn More</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Related Issues" href="#cat_47">Related Issues</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Specifics" href="#cat_42">Specifics</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>See, Play and Learn</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li class="noinfo-subcat">No links available</li> </ul> </div> <p class="threecols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Research</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Clinical Trials" href="#cat_27">Clinical Trials</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Journal Articles" href="#cat_59">Journal Articles</a> </li> </ul> </div> <p class="evencols clearsection hrdividor"></p> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>Resources</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li class="noinfo-subcat">No links available</li> </ul> </div> <div class="toccolumn"> <h3>For You</h3> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a title="Go to: Children" href="#cat_8">Children</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Older Adults" href="#cat_23">Older Adults</a> </li> <li> <a title="Go to: Patient Handouts" href="#cat_69">Patient Handouts</a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="summary"></a> <section id="topsum_section"> <div class="summary-title syndicate"> <h2>Summary</h2> </div> <div id="topic-summary" class="syndicate"><h3>What is telehealth?</h3> <p>Telehealth is the use of communications technologies to provide health care from a distance. These technologies may include computers, cameras, videoconferencing, the Internet, and satellite and wireless communications. Some examples of telehealth include:</p><ul> <li>A "virtual visit" with a health care provider, through a phone call or video chat</li> <li>Remote patient monitoring, which lets your provider check on you while you are at home. For example, you might wear a device that measures your heart rate and sends that information to your provider.</li> <li>A surgeon using robotic technology to do surgery from a different location</li> <li>Sensors that can alert caregivers if a person with dementia leaves the house</li> <li>Sending your provider a message through your electronic health record (EHR)</li> <li>Watching an online video that your provider sent you about how to use an inhaler</li> <li>Getting an email, phone, or text reminder that it's time for a cancer screening</li> </ul> <h3>What is the difference between telemedicine and telehealth?</h3> <p>Sometimes people use the term telemedicine to mean the same thing as telehealth. Telehealth is a broader term. It includes telemedicine. But it also includes things like training for health care providers, health care administrative meetings, and services provided by pharmacists and social workers.</p> <h3>What are the benefits of telehealth?</h3> <p>Some of the benefits of telehealth include:</p><ul> <li>Getting care at home, especially for people who can't easily get to their providers' offices</li> <li>Getting care from a specialist who is not close by</li> <li>Getting care after office hours</li> <li>More communication with your providers</li> <li>Better communication and coordination between health care providers</li> <li>More support for people who are managing their health conditions, especially chronic conditions such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/diabetes.html">diabetes</a></li> <li>Lower cost, since virtual visits may be cheaper than in-person visits</li> </ul> <h3>What are the problems with telehealth?</h3> <p>Some of the problems with telehealth include:</p><ul> <li>If your virtual visit is with someone who is not your regular provider, he or she may not have all of your medical history</li> <li>After a virtual visit, it may be up to you to coordinate your care with your regular provider</li> <li>In some cases, the provider may not be able to make the right diagnosis without examining you in person. Or your provider may need you to come in for a lab test.</li> <li>There may be problems with the technology, for example, if you lose the connection, there is a problem with the software, etc.</li> <li>Some insurance companies may not cover telehealth visits</li> </ul> <h3>What types of care can I get using telehealth?</h3> <p>The types of care that you can get using telehealth may include:</p><ul> <li>General health care, like <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/healthcheckup.html">wellness visits</a></li> <li>Prescriptions for medicine</li> <li>Dermatology (skin care)</li> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/eyecare.html">Eye exams</a></li> <li>Nutrition counseling</li> <li>Mental health counseling</li> <li>Urgent care conditions, such as <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/sinusitis.html">sinusitis</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/urinarytractinfections.html">urinary tract infections</a>, <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/rashes.html">common rashes</a>, etc.</li> </ul> <p>For telehealth visits, just like with an in-person visit, it is important to be prepared and have <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor.html">good communication with the provider</a>.</p></div> </section> <a name="cat_51"></a> <section id="cat_51_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header expanded"> <div class="section-title syndicate"> <h2>Start Here </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section51" class="section-body expanded syndicate" aria-expanded="true"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/why-use-telehealth" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143526" >Why Use Telehealth?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Department of Health and Human Services)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/es/pacientes/por-que-usar-la-telesalud" data-sid="147286">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_47"></a> <section id="cat_47_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Related Issues </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section47" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/c2c-covid-care-home.pdf" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="148467" >Stay Safe: Getting the Care You Need, at Home</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)</span> - <span class="desccode">PDF</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.cms.gov/files/document/c2c-covid-care-home-spanish.pdf" data-sid="148487">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor.html" data-sid="88259" data-org="NLM">Talking With Your Doctor: MedlinePlus Health Topic</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Library of Medicine)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/talkingwithyourdoctor.html" data-sid="120555">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_42"></a> <section id="cat_42_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Specifics </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section42" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/how-do-i-schedule-telehealth-appointment" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="160179" >How Do I Schedule a Telehealth Appointment?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Department of Health and Human Services)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/es/pacientes/como-concierto-una-teleconsulta" data-sid="160180">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/telehealth/art-20044878?p=1" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="97326" >Telehealth: Technology Meets Health Care</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.mayoclinic.org/es/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/telehealth/art-20044878?p=1" data-sid="131071">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://familydoctor.org/telemedicine/?adfree=true" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143286" >Telemedicine</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Academy of Family Physicians)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://es.familydoctor.org/telemedicina/?adfree=true" data-sid="143649">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://telehealth.va.gov/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143207" >VA Telehealth Services</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Department of Veterans Affairs)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/what-can-be-treated-through-telehealth" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="160177" >What Can Be Treated through Telehealth?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Department of Health and Human Services)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/es/pacientes/que-se-puede-tratar-mediante-telesalud" data-sid="160178">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/what-is-telemental-health" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="150046" data-org="NIMH">What Is Telemental Health?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institute of Mental Health)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/espanol/telesalud-mental" data-sid="151806">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/patients/what-should-i-know-before-my-telehealth-visit" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143529" >What Should I Know before My Telehealth Visit?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Department of Health and Human Services)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://telehealth.hhs.gov/es/pacientes/que-deberia-saber-antes-de-la-teleconsulta" data-sid="147289">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_27"></a> <section id="cat_27_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Clinical Trials </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section27" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/search?intr=telehealth&aggFilters=status:not%20rec" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143769" data-org="NIH">ClinicalTrials.gov: Telehealth</a> <span class="desc-text"> <img width="25" height="16" alt="From the National Institutes of Health" title="From the National Institutes of Health" src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/nih.png" class="imgdesc"> <span class="orgs"> (National Institutes of Health)</span> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_59"></a> <section id="cat_59_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Journal Articles <span class="subheading">References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)</span> </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section59" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39585879" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143566" >Article: Development and feasibility of an mHealth intervention for psychoeducational support of...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/39584918" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143566" >Article: The Impact of Telemonitoring and Telehealth Coaching on General Nutrition Knowledge...</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=%22Telemedicine%22%5Bmajr%3Anoexp%5D+AND+humans%5Bmh%5D+AND+english%5Bla%5D+AND+%22last+1+Year%22+%5Bedat%5D+AND+%28patient+education+handout%5Bpt%5D+OR+guideline%5Bpt%5D+OR+clinical+trial%5Bpt%5D%29++NOT+%28letter%5Bpt%5D+OR+case+reports%5Bpt%5D+OR+editorial%5Bpt%5D+OR+comment%5Bpt%5D%29+AND+free+full+text%5Bsb%5D+" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143566" >Telehealth -- see more articles</a> <span class="desc-text"> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_8"></a> <section id="cat_8_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Children </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section8" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.healthychildren.org/English/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/Pages/Can-video-visits-be-good-for-my-child.aspx" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143306" >Can Telehealth "Video Visits" Be a Good Option for My Child? How Do They Work?</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (American Academy of Pediatrics)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://www.healthychildren.org/spanish/tips-tools/ask-the-pediatrician/paginas/can-video-visits-be-good-for-my-child.aspx" data-sid="143646">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/telemedicine.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="125874" >Telehealth and Your Child</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Nemours Foundation)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/telemedicine.html" data-sid="143647">Spanish</a> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/telehealth-how-to.html" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="155531" >What to Expect at a Telehealth Visit (For Parents)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Nemours Foundation)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://kidshealth.org/es/parents/telehealth-how-to.html" data-sid="156306">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_23"></a> <section id="cat_23_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Older Adults </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section23" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.ncoa.org/article/getting-the-care-you-need-via-telemedicine/" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143066" >Getting the Care You Need via Telemedicine</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (National Council on Aging)</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143206" >Telehealth (Medicare Part B Coverage)</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a target="TheNewWin2" href="https://es.medicare.gov/coverage/telehealth" data-sid="143648">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <a name="cat_69"></a> <section id="cat_69_section"> <div class="section"> <div class="section-header"> <div class="section-title"> <h2>Patient Handouts </h2> </div> <div class="section-button"> <button title="Expand/Collapse section" role="button" aria-controls="section" aria-pressed="true" type="submit"> <span class="icon icon-section-action"></span> </button> </div> <div aria-live="polite" class="sm-live-area hide-offscreen"></div> </div> <div id="section69" class="section-body"> <ul class="bulletlist"> <li> <a href="https://www.kidney.org/sites/default/files/telemedicineworksheet.pdf" target="TheNewWin" data-sid="143326" >Getting the Most Out of Your Telemedicine Visit</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (National Kidney Foundation)</span> - <span class="desccode">PDF</span> </span> </li> <li> <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000919.htm" data-sid="124065" >Telehealth</a> <span class="desc-text"> <span class="orgs"> (Medical Encyclopedia)</span> </span> <span class="also-lang"> Also in <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/spanish/ency/patientinstructions/000919.htm" data-sid="124068">Spanish</a> </span> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> </div> <div class="side"> <aside> <section id="ht-img-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Topic Image</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> <img src="https://medlineplus.gov/images/Telemedicine.jpg" title="Telehealth" alt="Telehealth" /> </div> </div> </section> <section id="encyclopedia-box"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header red"> <h2>MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA</h2> </div> <div id="more_encyclopedia" class="section-body"> <ul> <li><a data-sid="124065" href="https://medlineplus.gov/ency/patientinstructions/000919.htm">Telehealth</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="related-topics"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Related Health Topics</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> <ul id="related"> <li><a href="https://medlineplus.gov/talkingwithyourdoctor.html">Talking With Your Doctor</a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </section> <section id="primary-institute-section"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>National Institutes of Health</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> The primary NIH organization for research on <span class="italic">Telehealth</span> is the <a href="https://www.nih.gov/institutes-nih/nih-office-director" target="TheNewWin">NIH Office of the Director</a> </div> </div> </section> <section id="foreign-languages"> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header"> <h2>Other Languages</h2> </div> <div class="section-body"> Find <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/languages/telehealth.html">health information in languages other than English</a> on <em>Telehealth</em> </div> </div> </section> <section> <div class="side-section"> <div class="section-header hide-offscreen"> <h2>Disclaimers</h2> </div> <div class="section-body no-header"> MedlinePlus links to health information from the National Institutes of Health and other federal government agencies. MedlinePlus also links to health information from non-government Web sites. See our <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/disclaimers.html">disclaimer</a> about external links and our <a href="https://medlineplus.gov/criteria.html">quality guidelines</a>. </div> </div> </section> </aside> </div> <div class="page-action-bottom"> <div class="page-actions"></div> </div> </article> </div> <p>The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. 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Learn about the benefits, problems, and the types of care available using telehealth.", "mainContentOfPage": "What is telehealth?\u000ATelehealth is the use of communications technologies to provide health care from a distance. These technologies may include computers, cameras, videoconferencing, the Internet, and satellite and wireless communications. Some examples of telehealth include:\u000AA \u0022virtual visit\u0022 with a health care provider, through a phone call or video chat\u000ARemote patient monitoring, which lets your provider check on you while you are at home. For example, you might wear a device that measures your heart rate and sends that information to your provider.\u000AA surgeon using robotic technology to do surgery from a different location\u000ASensors that can alert caregivers if a person with dementia leaves the house\u000ASending your provider a message through your electronic health record (EHR)\u000AWatching an online video that your provider sent you about how to use an inhaler\u000AGetting an email, phone, or text reminder that it\u0027s time for a cancer screening\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat is the difference between telemedicine and telehealth?\u000ASometimes people use the term telemedicine to mean the same thing as telehealth. Telehealth is a broader term. It includes telemedicine. But it also includes things like training for health care providers, health care administrative meetings, and services provided by pharmacists and social workers. \u000A\u000AWhat are the benefits of telehealth?\u000ASome of the benefits of telehealth include:\u000AGetting care at home, especially for people who can\u0027t easily get to their providers\u0027 offices\u000AGetting care from a specialist who is not close by\u000AGetting care after office hours\u000AMore communication with your providers\u000ABetter communication and coordination between health care providers\u000AMore support for people who are managing their health conditions, especially chronic conditions such as diabetes\u000ALower cost, since virtual visits may be cheaper than in\u002Dperson visits\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat are the problems with telehealth?\u000ASome of the problems with telehealth include:\u000AIf your virtual visit is with someone who is not your regular provider, he or she may not have all of your medical history\u000AAfter a virtual visit, it may be up to you to coordinate your care with your regular provider\u000AIn some cases, the provider may not be able to make the right diagnosis without examining you in person. Or your provider may need you to come in for a lab test.\u000AThere may be problems with the technology, for example, if you lose the connection, there is a problem with the software, etc.\u000ASome insurance companies may not cover telehealth visits\u000A\u000A\u000AWhat types of care can I get using telehealth?\u000AThe types of care that you can get using telehealth may include:\u000AGeneral health care, like wellness visits\u000APrescriptions for medicine\u000ADermatology (skin care)\u000AEye exams\u000ANutrition counseling\u000AMental health counseling\u000AUrgent care conditions, such as sinusitis, urinary tract infections, common rashes, etc.\u000A\u000A\u000AFor telehealth visits, just like with an in\u002Dperson visit, it is important to be prepared and have good communication with the provider.", "primaryImageOfPage": { "@type": "ImageObject", "contentUrl": "https://medlineplus.gov/images/Telemedicine.jpg" }, "url": "https://medlineplus.gov/telehealth.html" } ] </script> </body> </html>

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Telehealth: MedlinePlus