Enhanced access but increased testing with virtual care: insights from a multinational survey

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a dramatic increase in virtual (ie, telephone, video) care in many countries, particularly in the primary care setting.1 Yet, the impact of this increase on actual clinical practice remains unclear. Experts have hypothesised that the growth in virtual care could lead to more1 or less2 low-value care. Similarly, recent studies in single healthcare systems suggest that timeliness of care delivered virtually may be better3 or no different4 than in-person care. As this increased use of virtual care is enduring, it is critical to understand the positive and negative practice implications of virtual care. Here, we report the results of a representative, multinational survey of primary care physician perspectives on how virtual care changed their clinical practices. The Commonwealth Fund’s 2022 International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians reflects the experiences and perceptions of...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: COVID-19 Letters Source Type: research