What are "store-and-forward" telehealth services?

"Store-and-forward" telehealth services refer to asynchronous methods of healthcare delivery, where patient information, such as images, videos, or medical data, is collected and then transmitted to a healthcare provider for evaluation at a later time. This method allows for patients to send their information without needing to be present at the same time as the provider, making it advantageous for situations where immediate interaction is not necessary.

In this model, the health professional can review the collected information, analyze it, and provide recommendations without the constraints of real-time communication. This is particularly useful in specialties such as dermatology or radiology, where images are often shared for diagnosis. The flexibility of when the patient and provider interact is a key feature of store-and-forward services, facilitating access to care without requiring simultaneous participation.

The other choices describe different aspects of telehealth; for instance, real-time communication represents synchronous services, while multi-location conferences and emergency services indicate immediate and collaborative care scenarios that do not fit the criteria of "store-and-forward."