Telehealth sometimes is criticized on the basis of quality, accuracy and helpfulness. Some new data indicates the folly of such critiques. According to a recent study published in JAMA Network Open (JNO), in 13 of 16 medication, testing and counseling-based measures, telemedicine was associated with similar or significantly better quality performance.

The JNO report examines the care quality performance of telemedicine and in-person patient groups for 16 Health Care Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) measures, selected across five domains of primary care: cardiovascular, diabetes, prevention and wellness, behavioral health and pulmonary. 

These findings are validation for rebutting oft-heard concerns about the viability of telemedicine, including, "unnecessary use of care," "people will seek care when they don't need it," "virtual care is not as good as traditional in-office care," and more.

Accuracy in diagnoses can also be recognized as equal: A recent report in npj Digital Medicine found that "video telemedicine visits yield a high degree of diagnostic concordance to in-person visits for most new clinical concerns." Further, the npj Digital Medicine study found the unprecedented availability of telehealth during the pandemic did not lead to any significant increase in primary care sessions.

Breaking barriers to care is helpful. These findings suggest that video telemedicine visits are good adjuncts to in-office care (and may in many cases replace in-office care). When doctors giving video consultations suspect a condition that requires confirmation by physical examination or other in-person testing, they confirm their concern with their patient and refer them for the appropriate in-person care. 

AHRQ's new funding announcement also affirms the quality and helpfulness of telemedicine. It concludes that telehealth primary care visits replace in-office visits and don't increase the total number of visits: 

"... those patients with chronic illness and frequent primary care needs consistently replaced one to two visits per year with a telehealth visit,” Ethan Booker, MD, MedStar Health's chief medical officer of telehealth, ... said in the press release. “This finding underscores our entry into a new era of chronic care, as telehealth helps providers increase access and care continuity for patients who need it most."

Not only is virtual care not worse, it's equal or even better in the majority of HEDIS measures measured. Concerns that the COVID-19 pandemic may lead to overuse are also shown to be unfounded.