Questions Remain as States Look to Evidence-Based Research to Inform Adoption of Telehealth

This commentary highlights the promise and challenge of telehealth tools, including unconventional uses of telehealth technology, scalability of interventions, the effect of patient preferences on behavior adoption, and the effect of patient demographics on adoption.

In response to the COVID-19 epidemic, health systems are increasing their use of virtual tools and telehealth at unprecedented speed and insurers are expanding coverage for the services. These tools have great potential to help consumers access services that may be difficult to do so in-person and help physicians manage patients’ care remotely.