Open AccessTelemedicine in Orthopaedic Surgery
Author(s) -
Melvin C. Makhni,
Grant J. Riew,
Marissa Sumathipala
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
journal of bone and joint surgery. american volume/the journal of bone and joint surgery. american volume
Language(s) - Uncategorized
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.634
H-Index - 260
eISSN - 1058-2436
pISSN - 0021-9355
DOI - 10.2106/jbjs.20.00452
Subject(s) - telemedicine , pandemic , liability , covid-19 , business , health care , investment (military) , medical emergency , medicine , public relations , finance , economics , political science , economic growth , disease , pathology , politics , infectious disease (medical specialty) , law
Improvements in technology and a push toward value-based health care have poised the telemedicine industry for growth; however, despite the benefits of virtual care, widespread implementation had not occurred until the coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Powerful barriers have hindered the widespread adoption of telemedicine, including lack of awareness, implementation costs, inefficiencies introduced, difficulty performing physical examinations, overall lack of perceived benefit of virtual care, negative financial implications, concern for medicolegal liability, and regulatory restrictions. Some of these challenges have been addressed with temporary state and federal mandates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic; however, continued investment in systems and technology as well as refinement of regulations around telemedicine are needed to sustain widespread adoption by patients and providers.