Preventive Care: Telehealth Care for Chronic Disease

21世紀全球人口老化快速,與老年人口密切相關的慢性病也將隨之倍數增加,因此 發展更有效且省人力的方式成為慢性病健康照護的重要趨勢。結合資訊通信科技和疾 病管理,應用在健康醫療的整合性遠距照護,將是未來解決慢性病問題的重要選項。 本文的目的在介紹慢性病遠距照護方案的內涵,探討影響慢性病遠距居家照護方案實 施與推展的因素,慢性病遠距居家照護的成效與未來的展望。慢性病遠距健康照護是 一種增進病人自我健康管理、預防性照護的新型服務。科技監測設備與資訊網路系統 並不是用來取代專業人員的定期追蹤,關懷、與臨床判斷處置,反而是用來提升專業 人員工作的健康照護品質與效益。 In 21st century, the speed of aging society increases rapidly, so does the doubling time of chronic diseases prevalence among elderly people. Therefore, to develop an effective and manpower saving method of healthcare for chronic diseases becomes an important trend. Integrated telehealth care combining information and communication technology (ICT) and disease management can be applied as a major solution for future chronic disease management. In this article, the authors introduce the content of telehealth care program for chronic disease, explore the impact factors affecting its implementation and promotion, and discuss the effectiveness and future prospects. Telehealth care for chronic disease is to enhance patient's self health management and preventive care. The monitor equipments of advance technology and information network system are not used to replace the healthcare professionals' follow-up, concerns, clinical decision and management. On the contrary, they are used to enhance the quality and effectiveness of healthcare.