Virtual House Calls: Telemedicine and Reforming the Health Care Delivery Model with Strategies Implemented in a Novel Coronavirus Pandemic

Excerpt

During the pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (Covid-19), the US Centers for Medicare and Medicaid expanded coverage to allow clinicians to temporarily see patients though telemedicine visits instead of traditional office visits ¹. Telemedicine has been a revolutionary tool for clinicians in this pandemic because it enabled continued medical care while maintaining social distancing and allowed patients who are at greater risk for morbidity and mortality from Covid-19 infection the ability to get medical assessments without leaving their homes ¹. With the utility of telemedicine being proven in this pandemic, it strengthens the argument that the utilization of telemedicine should be incorporated into routine medical care. …