Distribution of a Remote Medical Exam Device Associated with an Increase in Telehealth Use (Preprint)

Abstract

Due to cost and convenience, healthcare delivery is moving from traditional care settings (e.g., physician offices, emergency departments) to quick-care retail sites. In addition, the COVID-19 pandemic quickly accelerated the use of telehealth. By providing a means for patients to receive healthcare from anywhere and at any time, telehealth platforms significantly expand patient access to medical care. However, the impact of virtual care on visit quality is less certain. A growing topic of interest, digital health technologies may have the potential to improve aspects of virtual care. The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the FDA-approved remote monitoring device on healthcare use and spending. This evaluation suggests the use of remote devices can be used to increase uptake of telehealth, without increasing costs