Physicians should embrace online consultations to increase patients' access to health care, according to a report from the National Center for Policy Analysis, the Connecticut Post reports.
According to the report, some doctors are using the Internet to communicate with and treat patients. However, concerns regarding quality, liability, regulatory control and security will have to be addressed before online physician visits become mainstream, the report states.
Devon Herrick, an NCPA analyst, said physicians have been slow to adopt online telemedicine technology despite its ability to increase efficiency. He said that adoption barriers include the lack of reimbursement from insurers and jurisdiction challenges.
Jennifer Jaff, a lawyer and executive director of Advocacy for Patients With Chronic Illness, said that telemedicine can help cut costs and boost care but that the technology should be used to supplement, not replace, traditional health care (Varnon, Connecticut Post, 8/22).