ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how telehealth applications in patient-physician relationships, telehealth modalities, and social support on digital communication platforms can meet the unique needs of high-risk and other patients. The whole person approach is discussed, addressing health-related challenges, such as social distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic and the post-pandemic age, including the use of interpreter services, telehealth payment, and regulations, data privacy and security (e.g., on Zoom, and sharing of user data by health apps). The wearable industry is examined, including the use of technologies to track health indicators, e-consults, wearable diagnostics, and monitoring medical devices. Implications of evolving policy regulations in the technological domain are examined critically, with attention to how the digital divide and net neutrality relate to health literacy, health resource access, and health disparities. Students examine how bias and inequity in technological applications can be identified and addressed and envisage limitations and benefits of technology in designing innovative approaches to address disparities, structural inequities, and gaps in care, through taking a whole person dialogic approach to integrating telehealth and mhealth applications.
