Abstract
Telemedicine refers to the delivery of medical care and provision of general health services from a distance. Telemedicine has been practiced for decades with increasing evidence proving its potential for enhanced quality of care for patients, reduction in hospital readmissions, and increase in savings for both patients and providers. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a significant increase in the reliance on telemedicine and telehealth for provision of health care services. Developments in telemedicine should be structured as complements to current health care procedures, not with the goal of completely digitizing the entire health care system, but rather to use the power of technology to enhance areas that may not be working at their full potential. At the same time, it is also clear that further research is needed on the effectiveness of telemedicine in terms of both financial and patient benefits. We discuss the current and rapidly increasing knowledge about the use of telemedicine in the United States, and identify the gaps in knowledge and opportunities for further research. Beginning with telemedicine’s origins in the United States to its widespread use during the COVID-19 pandemic, we highlight recent developments in legislation, accessibility, and acceptance of telemedicine.
Highlights
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines digital health as the use of digital technologies for health purposes, a category that encompasses the increasing use of technologies for health services [1]
This study indicated that, telemedicine provides a convenient avenue for health care, it cannot completely replace the current system
If legislation is passed legitimizing the role of telemedicine and telehealth in the American health care system, increased education and research on the area can lead to telemedicine being a prominent daily practice for physicians and patients alike
Summary
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines digital health as the use of digital technologies for health purposes, a category that encompasses the increasing use of technologies for health services [1]. Outside of government-funded health care, 31 states and the District of Columbia have enacted parity laws, requiring private insurers to reimburse providers for telehealth services [18]. Had patients been informed of the possibility that they could form a relationship—even if subconsciously—with this telephone line prior to the study, they would have been able to make an informed choice of whether to participate This example helps elucidate the need for education about eHealth for medical professionals and for those who will be interacting with it in order to promote acceptability. This study indicated that, telemedicine provides a convenient avenue for health care, it cannot completely replace the current system Both patients and physicians felt comfortable and satisfied after their visits, but certain crucial elements of an in-person visit are irreplaceable, such as physical examinations and gestures. If legislation is passed legitimizing the role of telemedicine and telehealth in the American health care system, increased education and research on the area can lead to telemedicine being a prominent daily practice for physicians and patients alike
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