Telehealth in Dietetics

The COVID-19 pandemic placed significant strain on medical institutions, which in turn promoted the widespread adoption of telehealth. Telehealth referred to both clinical and non-clinical services and involved the use of electronic information and telecommunications technologies to support various health-related activities—including health monitoring and services, public health and administration, and health education for both patients and professionals. Telehealth tools included video conferencing, email, mobile or app-based technologies, and platforms for transmitting clinical information such as data, images, audio, and video.

The online part of the programme took place over five weeks. During this time, students learned about guidelines, legal requirements for telehealth, and general data protection principles. They also gained insight into national and international projects in which telehealth had already been implemented, and explored how telehealth could be integrated into dietetic care.

During the one-week physical attendance, students developed prototypes which they presented to a team of experts during a field trip. Additional lectures, keynote sessions, and best-practice examples supported the students in building relationships and establishing trust within virtual environments.