JAMA Network Open: Association Between In-Person vs Telehealth Follow-up and Rates of Repeated Hospital Visits Among Patients Seen in the Emergency Department

JAMA Network Open: Association Between In-Person vs Telehealth Follow-up and Rates of Repeated Hospital Visits Among Patients Seen in the Emergency Department

This cohort study evaluates whether the rates of emergency department (ED) return visits and hospitalization differ between patients who obtain in-person vs telehealth encounters for post-ED follow-up care. Telehealth follow-up visits after ED encounters were associated with higher rates of repeated ED hospital visits, however the patients with telehealth follow-up who return to the ED might have greater illness severity when they arrive or possibly other medical or social circumstances that prevent ED physicians from being able to discharge them home. It is important to note that ED patients tend to have higher use of health services in general. This finding of higher ED revisits is not just limited to telehealth, but is a characteristic of this population.