Harvard Medical School: For Controlling Blood Pressure, Telemedicine May Beat Clinic Visits Telemedicine visits combined with self-measured blood pressure readings may help people control high blood pressure better than traditional office visits. Researchers reviewed data from 31 trials lasting between six and 12 months that compared telemedicine to clinic visits for managing blood pressure. The telemedicine visits relied on blood pressure readings taken by patients at home, along with remote contact with health care providers via phone, video, or email.  

Cureus: Telehealth Transformation: A Mixed-Methods Study on Organizational Change Processes and Outcomes in a Private Medical Practice This mixed-methods case study investigated the impacts, costs, barriers, and facilitators associated with implementing telehealth services across a private pediatric clinic system. The research examined the effects of telehealth on provider engagement and financial performance. Results showed significantly increased costs (44%) and revenues (47%) at clinics following virtual care expansion. The findings suggest catalyzed financial and productivity transformations. Researchers recommended updating coordination protocols, enhancing training and support resources, incentivizing provider usage, and modulating implementation pacing responding to user feedback during large-scale organizational [...]

JAMA Network Open: Patient Characteristics and Telemedicine Use in the US, 2022 A study found that 43 percent of people opted for telemedicine (also known as telehealth) in 2022, even when in-person visits were available. Of them, 70 percent chose video visits and 30 percent had audio-only, or phone, visits with their doctors. Video visits were less likely among older adults and people without internet access. People who were uninsured, older and didn’t use the internet were more likely to use audio telehealth, or phone calls. Researchers noted that audio-only calls may give people a greater sense of privacy, [...]

National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners: Implementing Pediatric Telemental Health Care has Both Advantages and Challenges Implementing telemental health services in the pediatric primary care setting can help address the growing need for children’s mental health care. However, there are not enough pediatric mental health providers available to address all of the needs of this vulnerable population. Additionally, disparities such as lack of adequate technology or a language barrier may make it more difficult for some patients to benefit from telemental health services.

New England Journal of Medicine: Key Issues as Wearable Digital Health Technologies Enter Clinical Care Wearable digital health technologies (DHTs) offer the potential to affect health care by making behavioral and physiological patterns in daily life outside the clinic visible to patients and medical professionals. The evidentiary basis for the broad clinical effect of wearable DHTs in these areas is in its infancy, but there is potential for real-world medical benefits. Well-designed longitudinal trials will show which of these transformative aims can be realized.