Telemedicine Journal And E-health[JOURNAL]
Sun
200 papers
Telemedicine Utilization Among Nurses in the UAE: Adoption, Training, and Infrastructure Readiness.
Xavier R, Rammal A, Wahbea R … +1 more , Khalil H
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Oct · PMID 40387603 · Publisher ↗
Telemedicine (TM) is a crucial component of modern health care, yet its adoption in nursing remains suboptimal. Effective integration requires structured training, institutional support, and digital infrastructure. This...
Telemedicine (TM) is a crucial component of modern health care, yet its adoption in nursing remains suboptimal. Effective integration requires structured training, institutional support, and digital infrastructure. This study investigates TM utilization among nurses in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), focusing on its integration into practice, the training received, and the resources available to support its implementation. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 434 nurses across hospitals and clinics in Dubai Health, UAE. The survey assessed demographic and professional details, TM experience, training availability, infrastructure, and institutional support. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. While 70% of nurses reported TM availability, only 27% actively used it. Usage frequency varied, with 18% utilizing TM daily, 8% weekly, and 10% monthly. Adoption was highest in pediatric and geriatric care (50%) and lowest in intensive care units (11%). Remote patient monitoring and health education (47%) were the most common applications, whereas specialty consultations had the lowest use (17%). Logistic regression identified TM availability (OR = 2.1) and prior training (OR = 3.0) as key predictors of utilization ( < 0.001). However, only 14% of participating nurses had received formal TM training, though 90% expressed willingness to participate in future programs. Nurses' demographics, job titles, years of experience, and health sector did not significantly predict TM utilization ( > 0.05). TM has the potential to transform nursing practice, but its integration requires enhanced training programs, infrastructure investment, and institutional support. Addressing these gaps will optimize TM utilization and improve health care delivery.
A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing-What Do We Really Need in Telemedicine!
Doarn CR
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Jun · PMID 40376743 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Permissive Telehealth State Licensure Policies Are Associated with Increased Telehealth Utilization.
Vakkalanka P, Young T, Carter KD … +3 more , Ullrich F, Ward MM, Mohr NM
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40354295 · Publisher ↗
State professional licensure has been cited as a significant barrier to widespread telehealth adoption, and states have developed strategies to reduce such licensure burdens through policy changes. We aimed to measure th...
State professional licensure has been cited as a significant barrier to widespread telehealth adoption, and states have developed strategies to reduce such licensure burdens through policy changes. We aimed to measure the association between state-level medical licensure policies and outpatient telehealth utilization between 2018 and 2022 among Medicare beneficiaries. We conducted a quasi-experimental study of a 5% sample of age-qualifying Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries between January 2018 and December 2022. We assessed state-level medical licensure policy for telehealth visits, captured as participation in Interstate Medical Licensure Compact (IMLC) before the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) and/or policy relaxation during the COVID-19 PHE. Outcomes included out-of-state telehealth (OOS-TH) and in-state telehealth (IS-TH). We evaluated the association between state-level policies and outcomes through logistic regression, adjusting for patient-level characteristics and month/year of the encounter. We analyzed 141,199,029 outpatient encounters for 1,682,501 Medicare beneficiaries. In the pre-COVID-19 era, IMLC participation was associated with higher OOS-TH (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 2.24; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.09-2.40) but not IS-TH (aOR: 0.98; 95% CI: 0.96-1.01). In the COVID-19 era, we observed higher IS-TH in IMLC-only states (aOR: 1.09; 95% CI: 1.08-1.10) and states with COVID-19 policy relaxations (aOR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.10-1.12). We observed lower OOS-TH utilization by IMLC participation (aOR: 0.74; 95% CI: 0.72-0.75) and COVID-19 policy relaxations (aOR: 0.83; 95% CI: 0.81-0.85). Permissive licensure policies were higher telehealth utilization, though we observed mixed effects in telehealth type (IS-TH vs. OOS-TH) and by time (pre-COVID-19 vs. COVID-19). Variability in IS-TH and OOS-TH utilization may indicate that while local policies can improve telehealth access, interstate barriers still exist.
The Economics of Telehealth: An Overview.
Gujral K, Illarmo S, Jacobs JC … +1 more , Wagner TH
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40354157 · Publisher ↗
Telehealth has long offered promise for improving health care access, but due to restrictive regulations and technology limitations, historic use has been low. Despite telehealth's unprecedented expansion during the COVI...
Telehealth has long offered promise for improving health care access, but due to restrictive regulations and technology limitations, historic use has been low. Despite telehealth's unprecedented expansion during the COVID-19 pandemic, economic questions remain, raising uncertainty about telehealth's future. We used an economics lens to conduct a narrative review of the vast medical literature and nascent economic literature on telehealth. We reviewed evidence on demand-side and supply-side forces influencing telehealth adoption and evidence on telehealth's impact on health care use, costs, effectiveness, and equity. Current evidence is sparsely distributed across care types, telehealth modalities (e.g., phone, video, secure messaging), models of telehealth delivery, and pre- and post-pandemic periods. While the literature provides some signals that patients and clinicians are responsive to monetary costs of telehealth, more robust studies are needed, including studies on patient and provider time costs. Telehealth adoption appears to modestly increase outpatient care use, but evidence of its impact on costlier emergency or inpatient care use is needed. There is a lack of studies on monetary costs of telehealth, particularly the impact of telehealth on production costs. Importantly, there is a lack of high-quality studies on the comparative effectiveness of modalities. While there is a growing literature on disparities, studies that address confounders are needed to assess if telehealth can deliver on its promise to improve access for underserved populations. : Our review paves the way for a stronger economics literature on telehealth, highlighting areas of future research.
Utilization of Outpatient Mental Health Services During and 2 Years after the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Hayek MA, Kum HC, Park S … +3 more , Ohsfeldt R, Lawley MA, Bovin MJ
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40340456 · Publisher ↗
Analyze the impact of COVID-19 on outpatient mental health (OP-MH) utilization patterns, particularly telehealth, across eight different MH conditions with a 2-year follow-up. This population-based cohort study uses a 5...
Analyze the impact of COVID-19 on outpatient mental health (OP-MH) utilization patterns, particularly telehealth, across eight different MH conditions with a 2-year follow-up. This population-based cohort study uses a 5% random sample of Medicare beneficiaries aged ≥18 and newly diagnosed with one of the eight MH disorders: psychotic, depressive, bipolar, anxiety, trauma-related, substance-use, other MH disorders, and two or more MH disorders. Monthly OP-MH utilization patterns were compared among patients in 2020-2021 newly diagnosed in 2019 to comparable prepandemic cohorts newly diagnosed in 2017. Multiple logistic regression models were conducted to examine differences in telehealth utilization across MH conditions. Across groups, patients were mostly aged 65-84 ( = 39,749 [72.4%] in 2017 and = 40,513 [75.5%] in 2019), female ( = 33,387 [60.8%] in 2017 and = 32,193 [60.0%] in 2019), and White ( = 48,314 [88.0%] in 2017 and = 47,282 [88.1%] in 2019). Total OP-MH utilization dropped (a 27.5% decrease at its lowest) for all MH conditions at the pandemic's onset compared with the nonexposure group. Although utilization increased postpandemic, slight disruptions remained until the end of 2021. Telehealth visits rose from 0.5% in January 2020 to 55% in April 2020, decreasing to 18% by December 2021. Regression analysis showed that patients with psychotic, bipolar, or trauma-related, and two or more MH disorders had higher odds of telehealth usage compared with those with anxiety, while patients with substance-use disorders had lower odds. Rural residents, older adults (65+), and men had lower odds of using telehealth, with residents of the Northeast and West regions showing higher odds compared with the South. Telehealth disparity profiles were uniquely associated with different MH conditions. Findings highlight the need for tailored telehealth strategies among Medicare beneficiaries to address specific demographic and geographical disparities across MH conditions.
Congruency of Symptom Choice Between Patients Performing Online Self-Triage and Nurse Phone Triage.
Curry EN, Miller NE, North F … +2 more , Thompson MC, Pecina JL
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40331354 · Publisher ↗
Online self-triage/symptom checkers are a relatively new e-Health modality. We aimed to evaluate the degree to which patient's chosen symptom during the use of an online self-triage tool was congruent with that chosen by...
Online self-triage/symptom checkers are a relatively new e-Health modality. We aimed to evaluate the degree to which patient's chosen symptom during the use of an online self-triage tool was congruent with that chosen by a nurse performing phone triage. Patient encounters from September 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, were reviewed for patients who completed both online self-triage and a subsequent nursing phone triage within 24 hours. The symptoms chosen by the patient for their self-triage encounter and the symptoms chosen by the nurse during the subsequent nurse triage were reviewed. The symptoms chosen in these two triage encounters were then compared for congruency. A subset of our database was evaluated for congruency between the self-triage and the nurse phone triage endpoint recommendations. There were 5,443 encounters meeting inclusion criteria to study for congruency between self-triage and nurse triage symptom choice. The range of time between self-triage and nurse triage ranged from 0 min to 1,439 min (23.9 hours) with a median of 23 minutes between self and nurse triage encounters. Symptom congruency between the two methods found 74.2% (4,038) to be completely congruent while 989 (18.2%) were somewhat congruent. Only 7.6% (416) had no apparent congruency. Out of 1,705 self and nurse triage dyads eligible for study for agreement between endpoint recommendations, 244 (14.3%) were under-triaged, 1,110 (65.1%) were triaged to the same level of care and 351 (20.6%) were over-triaged. Congruency between symptoms chosen by the patient for triage and nurse triage were highly congruent with only 7.6% of the sample showing no apparent congruency between the self-triage symptom and the nurse triage symptom. When compared to nurse triage, most self-triage endpoint recommendations were either triaged to the same level of care or were over-triaged to a higher level of care.
Influence of Digital Competence on Participation and Retention of Patients with Advanced Cancer and Their Family Caregivers in a Randomized Controlled Trial with an e-Health Component: Findings from the DIAdIC Trial.
Van Goethem V, Dierickx S, Matthys O … +16 more , Deliens L, Lapeire L, Surmont V, Geboes K, Renard V, Grønvold M, D'Alton P, Turola E, Guberti M, van der Wel M, Brazil K, Bristowe K, DIAdIC Team, Hudson P, De Vleminck A, Cohen J
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40331349 · Publisher ↗
e-Health programs to empower patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers can improve their quality of life. Successful engagement with e-Health programs requires digital competence. People with lower digita...
e-Health programs to empower patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers can improve their quality of life. Successful engagement with e-Health programs requires digital competence. People with lower digital competence might be less likely to participate and complete e-Health trials, affecting trial validity. The objective of this work was to explore how digital competences differ between individuals according to sociodemographic characteristics and how it influences participation and retention in a trial with an e-Health component. We analyzed data collected as part of the Dyadic Psychoeducational Interventions for patients with advanced cancer and their Informal Caregivers DIAdIC (DIAdIC) trial, in which a psychoeducational web and face-to-face program for patients with advanced cancer and their family caregivers were developed and tested. Recruitment log files were quantitatively assessed for nonparticipation reasons. Descriptive statistics outlined sociodemographic factors and digital competence. Multivariable linear regressions assessed digital competence. We reported unstandardized coefficients, 95% confidence intervals, and -values. Logistic regressions examined retention rates. We reported odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Among those refusing participation in the trial ( = 1752), 2.1% ( = 37) cited information and communication technology (ICT)-related factors. Enrolled patients reported lower digital competence than family caregivers (mean 3.07, SD 0.94 vs. 3.17, SD 0.090; = 0.046). While digital competence varied by sociodemographic characteristics of patients and their family caregivers, digital competence did not significantly predict dropout. ICT-related factors were rarely mentioned as a reason for nonparticipation. Digital competence is associated with sex, age, trial location, educational attainment, and perception of income. e-Health-related factors or digital competence are no reasons for nonparticipation in studies with an e-Health component.
Association of Socioeconomic Factors with Teledermatology Usage.
Zhu B, Dovigi E, English J
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40323730 · Publisher ↗
Disparities in dermatologic care access exist across sociodemographic factors, with racial minorities and uninsured individuals less likely to receive care. Teledermatology expanded during COVID-19, yet national disparit...
Disparities in dermatologic care access exist across sociodemographic factors, with racial minorities and uninsured individuals less likely to receive care. Teledermatology expanded during COVID-19, yet national disparities remain understudied. : We conducted a repeated cross-sectional analysis of the 2020-2022 Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, including individuals with at least one dermatology visit. Multivariate logistic regression assessed associations between sociodemographic factors and teledermatology use, with two-part models examining spending. Among 5,280 respondents (representing 68,315,000 patients), visits in 2021 (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 2.725, = 0.003) had higher odds of teledermatology use, as did Black (aOR = 6.467, < 0.001), Hispanic (aOR = 5.520, = 0.012), and non-Black, non-White, non-Hispanic race patients (aOR = 3.416, = 0.002). Patients with a bachelor's degree (aOR = 5.470, = 0.019) also had increased odds. Medicaid was associated with lower out-of-pocket costs. Teledermatology use grew, benefiting racial minorities, but educational barriers persist. Targeted interventions are needed to enhance access.
The Digital Divide and Tele-MOUD: A Qualitative Study of Opioid Community Coalition Perspectives During COVID-19.
Chen S, Aldrich A, Andrews-Higgins S … +12 more , Back-Haddix S, Bartkus M, Brown JL, Davis J, Drainoni ML, Goddard-Eckrich D, Goetz M, Gumudavelly D, Huerta TR, McAlearney AS, Roberts S, Walker DM
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40323675 · Full text
The rapid expansion of telehealth-delivered medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical digital divide issues in communities. How community context influences the digital d...
The rapid expansion of telehealth-delivered medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) during the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted critical digital divide issues in communities. How community context influences the digital divide remains unclear, creating uncertainty about ameliorating the gaps in access to tele-MOUD. We qualitatively examined the perspectives of 315 opioid community coalition members who were part of the HEALing Communities Study (HCS) to understand how the digital divide created access barriers in urban and rural communities. Primary coding for all interviews used a deductive approach with codes derived from the Reach, Effectiveness, Adoption, Implementation, Maintenance/Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model overarching HCS framework. Secondary coding used the nine determinants of Lythreatis's 2022 digital divide framework, and inductive thematic analysis was used to identify themes with each of the nine determinants. Shared issues across communities related to the digital divide, including trust, social support, technological infrastructure, digital literacy, policy changes, and pandemic-related disruptions, critically influenced telehealth expansion and effectiveness. Rural communities reported specific barriers around infrastructure and socioeconomics, whereas urban communities reported specific barriers around sociodemographic factors. To address these digital divide issues, policymakers should continue to invest in rural infrastructure and improve internet access for underserved populations. Clear guidelines are also needed for when tele-MOUD is appropriate versus in-person visits and when urine drug screening is necessary. Additionally, emphasizing patient choice and maintaining in-person care is important to support equitable access to these services.
Using Virtual Models of Care for Chronic Disease Management in Outpatient Services: A Systematic Review of Quality of Care Outcomes.
Sina M, Mitchell R, Walsan R … +8 more , Clay Williams R, Cardenas A, Moscova M, Manias E, Taylor N, Mumford V, Christian B, Harrison R
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40323664 · Publisher ↗
The use of virtual care (VC) among individuals with chronic disease is well-documented, yet evidence on quality of care outcomes, such as frequency of subsequent hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and mo...
The use of virtual care (VC) among individuals with chronic disease is well-documented, yet evidence on quality of care outcomes, such as frequency of subsequent hospitalizations, emergency department (ED) visits, and mortality, is fragmented. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence of quality of care outcomes, namely subsequent outpatient encounters, hospital admissions, ED visits, and mortality, associated with VC among outpatients with chronic diseases. : A search strategy was developed and applied to six electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and CINAHL) for articles published between January 1, 2013 and July 6, 2024. Eligible studies included synchronous VC (e.g., live, video, or audio based) between a patient and health care provider. A narrative synthesis compared VC with in-person care, considering types of outpatient care, specialty, VC components, follow-up duration, and outcomes. : After reviewing 5,679 abstracts, 24 articles were included. Studies were predominantly from the United States ( = 11), followed by Australia ( = 3) and Canada ( = 2). The follow-up durations ranged from 2 weeks to 2 years, with 14 studies having follow-up durations of 6 months or less. Studies predominantly reported no difference or lower rates of hospital admissions ( = 18/20), ED visits ( = 11/12), and mortality ( = 12/14) among outpatients who used VC compared with those who had in-person visits. Half of the studies ( = 3/6) reported more subsequent outpatient encounters for patients using VC for the initial outpatient encounter compared with those who had in-person visits. : The review indicated that outpatient VC is associated with fewer or no different volume of hospital admissions or ED visits among people with chronic conditions but may be associated with an increased number of outpatient follow-up visits. Robust research at scale that considers the volume of VC consumed and associations with outcomes over longer follow-up periods is required.
Comparative Efficacy of Telepsychiatry Interventions for Depression in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-Analysis.
Senachai C, Upakdee N, Dhippayom T … +2 more , Lueyam W, Dilokthornsakul P
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40313204 · Publisher ↗
Depression represents a major public health burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Telepsychiatry provides a promising solution by offering remote mental health services, overcoming barriers such...
Depression represents a major public health burden, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Telepsychiatry provides a promising solution by offering remote mental health services, overcoming barriers such as limited resources, isolation, and cost. This study aimed to evaluate the comparative efficacy of different telepsychiatry interventions in LMICs by network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). : We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses from inception to May 2024 to identify all relevant studies. Telepsychiatry interventions were categorized as: (1) CBTAppGuided, a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) app with professional guidance; (2) CBTChatBot, a CBT app that uses a chatbot for guidance; (3) CBTApp, a CBT app without professional guidance; (4) Reminder; and (5) Consultation. Study quality was assessed according to the Effective Practice and Organization of Care guideline. Depression severity was calculated using summary standardized mean differences with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). : Seven RCTs were included with a total of 1,469 adults (mean age range: 16.0-35.64 years). Compared with face-to-face usual care, the most effective telepsychiatry intervention was CBTAppGuided [-23.04, 95% CI: -26.12 to -19.96], followed by CBTChatBot [-5.27, 95% CI: -6.25 to -4.29]. Other interventions, including CBTApp [-0.83, 95% CI: -1.32 to -0.34], Reminder [-0.44, 95% CI: -0.72 to -0.16], and Consultation [-0.27, 95% CI: -0.78 to 0.26], demonstrated smaller effects. CBTAppGuided, CBTChatBot, CBTApp, and Reminder achieved statistically significant improvement, whereas Consultation did not show statistically significant improvement and was not different from face-to-face treatment. : Telepsychiatry interventions, particularly CBTAppGuided, show potential for reducing depression severity in LMICs, with promising outcomes for both guided and unguided app-based formats. Further research is needed to confirm their effectiveness in resource-limited settings.
Factors Influencing Telemedicine Usage Intentions: A Comparative Study in Gynecology and Pediatrics.
Liu S, Gong W, Zhou T … +1 more , Chen L
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40274293 · Publisher ↗
Telemedicine has seen rapid growth, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, providing diverse options for patient care. This study, grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, examines and compares factors influenci...
Telemedicine has seen rapid growth, especially following the COVID-19 pandemic, providing diverse options for patient care. This study, grounded in the Technology Acceptance Model, examines and compares factors influencing women's usage intentions of telemedicine, considering their roles as both direct patients in gynecology and indirect patients in pediatrics. The study conducted a survey to collect data from women who have used telemedicine services ( = 758). Structural equation modeling was employed to assess the relationships between variables, including previous satisfaction, social media health content consumption, perceived ease of use (PEOU), perceived usefulness (PU), trust, and future usage intention. The results demonstrate that social media health content consumption, PEOU, PU, and trust in telemedicine have significant direct effects on future usage intention. PEOU and trust mediate the relationships between social media consumption, previous satisfaction, and future usage intention. Notably, the study reveals differences in the factors influencing telemedicine usage between pediatrics and obstetrics/gynecology. Social media health content consumption positively affects usage intention for gynecological but not for pediatric. Trust in telemedicine significantly enhances usage intentions for gynecology but not for pediatrics. The findings reveal disparities in telemedicine usage patterns between obstetrics/gynecology and pediatrics. Practical implications suggest that telemedicine platforms should leverage social media to enhance health education and provide clear guidance, particularly for gynecological services. In addition, strengthening patient privacy protections is essential to build trust and promote telemedicine adoption.
County Health Departments Facilitate Telehealth Dementia Evaluation: The Georgia Memory Net Collaboration.
Loring DW, Lah JJ, Head EN … +2 more , Hale CL, McIntosh RL
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Sep · PMID 40256965 · Publisher ↗
To establish partnerships with county public health departments to expand telehealth access for referrals to Georgia Memory Net (GMN), a state-funded program focused on improving the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzhe...
To establish partnerships with county public health departments to expand telehealth access for referrals to Georgia Memory Net (GMN), a state-funded program focused on improving the early and accurate diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias. Funding from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, and the Building Our Largest Dementia (BOLD) Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Act supported GMN partnership development with Georgia Department of Public Health county health departments. Telehealth infrastructure, including remote video neurological assessments and neuropsychological testing, is now available in 10 Georgia county health departments. Expansion efforts are in progress to bring telehealth services to additional counties, broadening GMN reach. Telehealth evaluations delivered through county health departments provide an effective platform for expanding access to specialized dementia diagnosis and treatment, particularly in rural and underserved areas, enhancing early detection and care for patients throughout the state.
What a World, What a World!
Doarn CR
Telemed J E Health · 2025 May · PMID 40242853 · Publisher ↗
Abstract loading — click title to view on PubMed.
Effectiveness of Telehealth for Disease Management During the Perinatal Period: A Scoping Review.
Mueller HJ, Pennington EL, Carr AS … +1 more , Barner JC
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Aug · PMID 40216549 · Publisher ↗
Many perinatal services to manage chronic diseases transitioned to telehealth following the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study was conducted to review the literature and summarize the e...
Many perinatal services to manage chronic diseases transitioned to telehealth following the onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This study was conducted to review the literature and summarize the effectiveness of telehealth for diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), mental health (anxiety and depression), and opioid use disorder (OUD) management during the perinatal period postonset of COVID-19. PubMed, CINAHL, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore databases were searched for articles published between 2020 and 2023 using keywords (COVID-19) and (maternal, maternity, obstetrics, perinatal, pregnancy) and (telemedicine, telehealth). Inclusion criteria were: intervention or change in practice with clinical results, postonset of COVID-19, English language, and addressed disease management (i.e., diabetes, hypertension, mental health, OUD) during pregnancy or postpartum. Exclusion criteria were: commentary, guideline, protocol, or review articles and perspectives. The review included 24 articles, including 7 randomized controlled trials. Articles evaluated diabetes ( = 9), HDP ( = 4), mental health ( = 10), and OUD ( = 1). One-half ( = 12) were conducted in the United States and telehealth interventions (e.g., app, videoconferencing, audio visits) and clinical effectiveness varied by disease state. Most studies reported at least one positive outcome of telehealth ( = 19, 79.2%); however, some also reported negative outcomes ( = 8, 33.3%). Glycemic control was adequately achieved in most studies ( = 8, 88.9%), and the majority of studies ( = 3, 75%) reported positive or neutral results for the management of HDP. Various telehealth interventions resulted in lower anxiety and depression symptoms. Only one study examined OUD and reported negative outcomes. Telehealth offered effective management of diabetes, hypertension, anxiety, and depression in perinatal women and often improved patient outcomes during COVID-19. Therefore, telehealth should continue to be offered to perinatal women with these chronic conditions as appropriate for individual and clinical situations. More research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of telehealth interventions for OUD management.
Assessing the Impact of Telemedicine Interventions on Health Care Costs and Utilization: A Scoping Review.
Liu S, Kumluang S, Gaewkhiew P … +5 more , Suwanpanich C, Athibodee T, Saeraneesopon T, Kittiratchakool N, Isaranuwatchai W
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Aug · PMID 40216539 · Publisher ↗
The impact of telemedicine on health care costs and utilization has not been comprehensively assessed across diverse health care settings. This scoping review aimed to explore these impacts, focusing on the variations in...
The impact of telemedicine on health care costs and utilization has not been comprehensively assessed across diverse health care settings. This scoping review aimed to explore these impacts, focusing on the variations in intervention types. A literature search followed Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines, covering the last 10 years in PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, and Scopus. The Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome framework was employed to define the population (patients), intervention (telemedicine/telehealth), comparator (standard care or pre-telemedicine), and outcomes (health care costs and utilization). Both randomized controlled trials and observational studies were included in the search. The search focused specifically on health care institutions or hospitals as the level of inquiry. Telemedicine interventions were characterized using the TOAST framework's six layers, while the four phases of the health care process (prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and recovery) were incorporated to further contextualize the interventions. Studies were synthesized and presented in tables and figures to provide an organized summary of the findings. From 4,454 articles, 14 met inclusion criteria, with 12 examining costs and seven utilization. Six studies reported significant cost reductions with telemedicine compared with standard care. In utilization, four out of seven studies showed significant improvements. This review indicates that telemedicine may reduce health care costs and enhance resource utilization during the treatment phase compared to traditional in-person visits.
Utilizing Telemedicine in Public Health Services for the Treatment of Patients with Thoracic Surgical Conditions.
Schmidt AF, de Freitas Filho O, Tsuboi CE … +4 more , Cordeiro TAG, Perondi MBM, Utiyama EM, Pego Fernandes PM
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Aug · PMID 40208815 · Publisher ↗
Telemedicine has been safely used across various surgical specialties at different stages of outpatient care, with effectiveness measured by clinical outcomes, cost savings, and user satisfaction. When employed for commu...
Telemedicine has been safely used across various surgical specialties at different stages of outpatient care, with effectiveness measured by clinical outcomes, cost savings, and user satisfaction. When employed for communication between physicians at a referral center and lower-complexity hospitals, it enables quick specialist evaluations for patients with relative emergencies. This study describes the experience of a tertiary care service in managing thoracic surgical conditions through telemedicine case discussions. This prospective study, from March 2022 to February 2023, focused on teleconsultations with hospitals in the referral area of a public academic hospital. Consultations were conducted synchronously and asynchronously via a proprietary platform. Data were collected on the originating hospital, patient demographics, admission date, diagnosis, and clinical summary. Cost savings were calculated by estimating avoided round-trip ambulance transportation. The analysis included data from the public health system's referral records. Out of 4,386 evaluation requests, 341 (7.7%) were discussed with a thoracic surgery specialist. Of these, 181 (53%) were managed without patient transfer, and 53 required rediscussion to revisit the initial medical approach. Immediate transfer, outpatient evaluation, or surgery was recommended in 160 cases. The incorporation of telemedicine into interhospital regulation of thoracic surgical diseases effectively reduced unnecessary patient transfers while providing the originating service with valuable information for managing specialty-specific situations.
Telehealth Strategies in Arthritis Chronic Pain Management: Bibliometric Analysis of Two Decades of Research and Innovations.
Kandeel M, Morsy MA, Al Khodair KM … +1 more , Alhojaily S
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Aug · PMID 40184243 · Publisher ↗
Arthritis, characterized by joint inflammation, pain, and impaired daily activities, has seen a rapid increase globally. Telehealth has emerged as a transformative approach in managing chronic diseases, including arthrit...
Arthritis, characterized by joint inflammation, pain, and impaired daily activities, has seen a rapid increase globally. Telehealth has emerged as a transformative approach in managing chronic diseases, including arthritis, by overcoming barriers such as geographic limitations and high costs. The primary objectives of this study were to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of telehealth in arthritis pain management over the past two decades, examine publication trends, citation patterns, and keyword co-occurrences related to telehealth strategies in arthritis management, identify key research areas, influential works, and emerging themes within the field. A comprehensive search was conducted in the Scopus database for articles related to telehealth in arthritis. A systematic screening process, following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, was adopted. Bibliometric analysis was used for keyword analysis, citation analysis, and research trends. The bibliometric analysis revealed significant trends in telehealth research for arthritis pain management. A sharp increase in publications was observed from 2020 onwards, coinciding with advancements in digital health technologies and the COVID-19 pandemic. Frequently occurring keywords included "telemedicine," "telehealth," "digital health," "m-health," and "telerehabilitation." The top cited articles primarily explored the efficacy of telerehabilitation in managing postsurgical recovery and chronic knee pain. Emerging themes indicated an increased focus on mobile applications, digital health solutions, and patient-centered care. Telehealth has evolved from a novel concept to a mainstream solution in managing arthritis, driven by technological advancements and the necessity for accessible and cost-effective care.
Expansion in Teleophthalmology Use for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Nguyen L, Jaishankar T, Chokshi T … +7 more , Cruz MJ, Kim J, Vargas-Ramos T, Snyder B, Hang A, Guajardo L, Yiu G
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Aug · PMID 40184241 · Publisher ↗
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of California, Davis Health (UCDH) system expanded teleophthalmology for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening through increased sites and personnel, custom workflows, and impro...
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the University of California, Davis Health (UCDH) system expanded teleophthalmology for diabetic retinopathy (DR) screening through increased sites and personnel, custom workflows, and improved awareness. Here, we report the outcomes of the expansion and investigate disparities during the pandemic lockdown. We retrospectively reviewed patients who received remote DR screening to compare demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical differences between individuals who underwent screening before, during, and after the COVID-19 lockdown. UCDH increased quarterly teleophthalmology visits from 46.4 ± 13.9 before to 253.8 ± 38.0 visits after the COVID-19 lockdown ( < 0.001), while DR screening rates improved from 51.0 ± 1.5% to 56.9 ± 1.6% over that period ( = 0.03). During the pandemic, we observed greater proportions of unemployed ( < 0.001), higher-income ( < 0.001), geographically nearby ( = 0.001) patients, and fewer individuals with socioeconomic disadvantage as measured by their area deprivation index ( = 0.02). Fewer patients with poorly controlled diabetes ( = 0.014) or hypertension ( = 0.04) also received remote screening during the pandemic, although most of these disparities were no longer detectable after the initial lockdown. Teleophthalmology expansion at UCDH during the COVID-19 pandemic led to sustained improvements in DR screening. Although some vulnerable individuals had reduced access to teleophthalmology during the initial lockdown, these disparities were not sustained postpandemic.
Teleconsultations' Impact on Referral Streamlining and Waitlist Reduction: A Large-Scale Retrospective Cohort Study of Over 200,000 Cases.
Pfeil JN, Katz N, Rados DRV … +5 more , Silva RSD, Umpierre RN, Mattiello R, Roman R, Harzheim E
Telemed J E Health · 2025 Aug · PMID 40170629 · Publisher ↗
Long waiting lists for elective medical consultations present significant challenges within health care systems globally. Remote consultation (teleconsultation) between a primary care physician and a specialist doctor ca...
Long waiting lists for elective medical consultations present significant challenges within health care systems globally. Remote consultation (teleconsultation) between a primary care physician and a specialist doctor can resolve some of these demands, reducing waiting lists. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of teleconsultations in reducing unnecessary specialist referrals and waitlist time within the referral process with primary care doctors. A retrospective cohort study was conducted from January 2017 to December 2019. The regulation process of specialized consultations waiting lists was made by two groups: (1) those regulated by RegulaSUS associated with the provision of teleconsultation and (2) those regulated by the usual procedures of the Ambulatory Regulation Center of the State of Rio Grande do Sul (contemporaneous controls group). The primary outcome evaluated the proportion of patients managed within primary health care (PHC) without requiring in-person specialist care, and the waitlist times during the regulation process were compared between the different groups. The analysis encompassed 245,643 referral requests for specialized consultations across 23 medical specialties. The RegulaSUS project reduced the need for in-person specialized medical consultation by 29% (31.6% vs. 44.5%, < 0.001). The median waitlist time was 1,140.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 1,393.6-476.6) days in individuals in the RegulaSUS and 1,271.0 (IQR, 778.4-1,723.0) control ( < 0.0001). The RegulaSUS teleconsultations demonstrated an effective approach to increasing the resolution of primary care physicians, reducing unnecessary specialist referrals, and reducing waitlist time for specialized medical consultations. This initiative is a model for efficient referral management, prioritizing patients needing specialized care while optimizing health care resource allocation in PHC settings.
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