To What Extent Can Telehealth/Telemedicine Replace In-Person Doctor Visits In the USA?

Abstract

The twenty-first century has seen a wave of revolutionary technical advancement that has drastically altered the landscape of many fields. Medicine and healthcare have been affected by these advancements, especially in the areas of artificial intelligence, 3D printing, CRISPR gene editing, and virtual reality. One of the main noticeable advancements however is the rapid rise of telehealth, which has altered the patient-doctor relationship, and is one of the most notable developments in recent decades, notably in the United States. While telehealth doesn’t have a very long history, it rose to popularity during the COVID-19 epidemic, delivering important benefits like as cost-effectiveness, decreased wait times, greater accessibility, and improved mental health assistance. Nonetheless, it can be observed that Telehealth presents some issues, including the possibility of misdiagnosis, difficulties in adapting to technology for older people, and worries about data privacy. Future advancements in telehealth may include selective applications, public education, enhanced security measures, and regulations for artificial intelligence integration. Furthermore, the political atmosphere in the United States may impact and change the rate at which telehealth develops, since it appears to have gained traction in Democratic-leaning areas but not so much in Republican-leaning states. This study will look into the possible benefits, problems, and future advancements of telehealth in the United States, as well as whether it can totally replace in-person doctor visits and to what extent.