The impact of telehealth technology on user perception of wellbeing and social functioning, and the implications for service providers

This study examined the use, including the social and economic impact, of telehealth equipment in the homes of older community-dwelling people in rural and regional areas in New South Wales, Australia. The primary research objective was the impact of telehealth systems on user perception of well-being and social functioning. Monitoring equipment was installed in the homes of clients who consented to participate in the study, assessing a core set of measurements (eg blood pressure, heart rate, and weight) along with custom measurements depending on each client’s health condition (eg heart failure, COPD, hypertension, diabetes). Lung function was assessed using the Vitalograph Lung Monitor with Bluetooth.