The use of telecommunications for nursing care.

is also known as ‘demand management,' ‘medical call centre,' ‘telephone triage,' and ‘nurse phone care.' Through the use of a telephone or video-based systems, a patient is connected to a health care practitioner, who then gives information or makes an assessment of the caller's condition. This process can evaluate the possible need for a physical visit to a physician and facilitates patient education. When used in conjunction with a public Web portal, such a system may be enhanced and efficiency increased.