What historical event is significant to the development of telehealth?

The historical significance of Freud corresponding with clients through letters highlights an early form of remote communication in mental health care. This method illustrates a foundational aspect of telehealth—delivering mental health services without face-to-face interaction. Freud’s correspondence allowed him to reach clients who were unable to visit him in person, thereby expanding the accessibility of his therapeutic insights.

This practice reflects the early understanding of the importance of communication in therapy, setting the groundwork for later developments in telehealth technologies. By recognizing the value of written communication in the therapeutic process, it paved the way for modern telehealth practices that leverage various forms of technology, such as video conferencing and messaging platforms, to connect practitioners and clients across distances.

The other options do not accurately represent significant turning points in the evolution of telehealth. For example, while telehealth is a growing field in the 21st century, its roots extend far earlier than this, and methods of remote therapy have historical precedence. Correspondence therapy is a key example of how the foundations for modern telehealth were laid long before the advent of advanced technologies.