Telehealth is defined by Jocelyne Picot as "the use of communications and information technology to deliver health and health care services and information over large and small distances" (Telehealth Industry 1). Current research in telehealth focuses on the evaluation of applications and projects, on the competitiveness of the telehealth industry, and on its role in international development. In contrast, this dissertation contextualizes telehealth in social history and theory. In so doing, it adopts an analytical, cultural studies approach rather than an empirical one. It also studies the extent of citizen involvement in current telehealth initiatives in Canada. More specifically, the dissertation examines whether the forms of involvement promoted by telehealth initiatives empower Canadian citizens. The examination is conducted through a five-step process. The first four steps involve an overview of the following: (1) histories of medical technology; (2) critiques of medical technology; (3) history and critique of the Canadian health care system; (4) critiques of information and communications technology and policy. The fifth step consists in mapping out the current state of telehealth development in Canada, including policy, applications and projects, as well as distinguishing the main roles of citizens in such initiatives. In closing, ways of achieving citizen empowerment through telehealth are suggested, whether it is found to be achieved in recent initiatives or not. Theoretical frameworks with the aim of positioning new technology in order that it may accomplish social change and citizen empowerment are put forward as an innovative means of evaluating current telehealth applications and projects in Canada.

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