New Systematic Reviews Provide Insights on Use of Telehealth

Two new systematic reviews from AHRQ’s Effective Health Care Program indicate that remotely delivered medical care, known as telehealth, has benefits for some patients but that factors such as lack of technology and inappropriateness for certain clinical conditions can create barriers to its use.

• Improving Rural Health Through Telehealth-Guided Provider-to-Provider Communication found possible benefits of provider-to-provider telehealth for inpatient care, newborns in rural hospitals, outpatient management of depression and diabetes and some emergency care in rural settings. It also noted that using telehealth for provider education and mentoring might improve patient outcomes, change provider behavior and increase provider knowledge and confidence in treating specific conditions.
• Use of Telehealth During the COVID-19 Era found that telehealth  may improve access to care and produce similar clinical outcomes compared with in-person care. However, telehealth may be less suitable and less desirable for patients who have complex clinical conditions or need physical exams, and for therapies requiring the development of rapport between patients and providers.