A rural county survey of rural health care providers indicates overall lack of knowledge about telemedicine and telehealth. Participants indicate they believe telehealth will improve quality of care but do not understand what it is. Providers defined telehealth as one function provided by one telecommunications medium. Most health providers did not equate the Internet with telehealth and could not envision its use in their work environments. Provider lack of understanding reinforces barriers to the universal application of telehealth in rural areas.
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