The Internet versus the telephone: What is telehealth, anyway?

How extensive is health care service delivery via the Internet? Should all practicing professional psychologists immediately acquire audio and video Internet capability so they can interact with their patients via this modality? Five hundred and ninety-six practicing psychologists responded to a survey about their use of the telephone and the Internet in their professional practices. Use of the telephone in the delivery of clinical services was nearly universal. However, only 2% of respondents had utilized the Internet or satellite technology in the delivery of health cart. Nonetheless, routine use of such technology in service delivery is expected to increase as the technology becomes more universally available and regularly used.