This is a broad question, but the answer is, overall, yes, telehealth visits can improve patient outcomes! There has been a lot of research about whether telehealth visits are as good or potentially even better than in-person visits for certain conditions. Studies show that many visits are done easily by phone or video, particularly behavioral health and substance use counseling. By eliminating the burden of transportation, it is often easier for patients to access behavioral health or medical health appointments via telehealth.
Some types of complaints may require an in-person evaluation by your doctor so they can perform a physical exam, etc. Ask your provider if a telehealth visit is appropriate. Particularly for behavioral health and substance use counseling visits, a physical exam is not usually necessary. Therefore, these types of visits are very amenable to telehealth!
Elena Hill, MD; MPH received her MD and Masters of Public Health degrees at Tufts Medical School and completed her family medicine residency at Boston Medical Center. She is currently an attending physician at Bronxcare Health Systems in the Bronx, NY where she works as a primary care physician as well as part time in pain management and integrated health. Her clinical interests include underserved health care, chronic pain and integrated/alternative health.
