Objective: Telemedicine allows physicians to provide medical care remotely through audiovisual technology. Telemedicine may address many challenges facing our society: an aging population, chronic disease management, and healthcare cost. With this work, we attempt to evaluate how telemedicine can effect a change in these challenges, and evaluate what obstacles prevent some providers from using it. Methods: In this work, the cost-effectiveness, success of telemedicine care, usefulness in reaching developing and underdeveloped areas, difficulties preventing the use of telemedicine, and proposals to overcome these challenges were reviewed and analyzed. Results: Cost of telemedicine was reported 19% less expensive than traditional face-to-face care. In several studies, telemedicine was documented to have had equal or better outcomes for obstructive sleep apnea, geriatrics, heart failure, preventative medicine, and patient compliance. Difficulties in using telemedicine include affordability of equipment, lack of technical support in developing or underdeveloped areas, legality of licensure and patient privacy and satisfaction. Conclusions: Although cost savings and convenience are major advantages of this technology, concerns with delivery barriers and challenges require cautious embracement of telemedicine. A great deal of research is needed to show that telemedicine improves patient centered outcomes.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.