Open AccessImproving Access to Care: Telemedicine Across Medical Domains
Author(s) -
William Barbosa,
Kina Zhou,
Emma Waddell,
Taylor Myers,
E. Ray Dorsey
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
annual review of public health
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.239
H-Index - 144
eISSN - 1545-2093
pISSN - 0163-7525
DOI - 10.1146/annurev-publhealth-090519-093711
Subject(s) - telemedicine , reimbursement , health care , medicine , medline , medical emergency , political science , law
Over the past 20 years, the use of telemedicine has increased exponentially. Its fundamental aim is to improve access to care. In this review, we assess the extent to which telemedicine has fulfilled this promise across medical domains. Additionally, we assess whether telemedicine has improved related health outcomes. Finally, we determine who has benefited from this novel form of health care delivery. A review of the literature indicates that ( a) telemedicine has improved access to care for a wide range of clinical conditions ranging from stroke to pregnancy; ( b) telemedicine in select circumstances has demonstrated improved health outcomes; and ( c) telemedicine has addressed geographical, but less so social, barriers to care. For telemedicine to fulfill its promise, additional evidence needs to be gathered on health outcomes and cost savings, the digital divide needs to be bridged, and policy changes that support telemedicine reimbursement need to be enacted.