Doctor Column

Has COVID-19 Been a Tipping Point for Telemedicine? An Unintended Consequence?

Telemedicine is the special use of audio or video telecommunication systems to diagnose and treat medical conditions of patients ‘virtually’ — without the physical presence of a physician or health care worker. Patients are treated remotely without the need to visit their doctor’s office or rush to the emergency department of the hospital or urgent care centers.