Mission and Vision

CTEC is the federally designated Telehealth Resource Center for California.  CTEC’s vision is to achieve the fully optimized use of telehealth and other technology enabled health care in order to:

• improve acess to health care for all California citizens,
• improve clinical efficiency and access to health information and education and
• to reduce the cost of providing needed health care. 

CTEC’s mission is to be an objective source of information for health systems developing telehealth programs, to provide technical assistance and program support, to provide up to date information  on policy, emerging trends and concerns, reimbursement, operations and other key topics and to provide leadership in the development of telehealth systems.

The California Telemedicine & eHealth Center (CTEC) is a leading source of expertise and comprehensive knowledge in the development and operation of telemedicine and telehealth programs. CTEC is nationally recognized as one of six federally designated Telehealth Resource Centers around the country. CTEC offers extensive hands-on experience in telemedicine development. CTEC understands the larger healthcare delivery system and works with policy makers, corporate, and industry leaders, and community based organizations to develop an environment that will support the optimal use of telemedicine and telehealth.

CTEC History

CTEC has a long history of leadership in telehealth. The California Telemedicine & Telehealth Coordinating Project inititied the creation of CTEC and produced the first strategic plan for California’s telemedicine adoption.  CTEC became the focal point for initial telehealth development efforts in California and deployed the $20 million investment by The California Endowment in telemedicine. 

This support has assisted in the development of 10 rural telemedicine networks, with over 100 sites throughout California.  CTEC funded and aided in the development of new and innovative telemedicine programs for medical specialty services, behavioral health, school dental screenings, diabetic retinopathy screenings, patient education programs, breast cancer support group services, continuing medical education, provider site development and on-line telemedicine training. CTEC colloaborated on the development of California’s two Telemedicine Learning Centers at UC Davis and UC San Diego. 

Over the past 14 years, CTEC has worked with hundreds of programs, providers, universities, government agencies, and equipment developers to identify best program practices, newly emerging technologies and trends, and studies that identify the impact of telemedicine services. CTEC was instrumental in initiating efforts to expand broadband availability throughout rural California.

CTEC is housed within the California Health Foundation and Trust, a 501© (3) nonprofit corporation affiliated with the California Hospital Association.