A recent literature review found that, in certain circumstances, using video teleconferencing telehealth was equally effective as “usual care.” The research looked at video teleconferencing versus usual care and found that video teleconferencing (VTC) produced equal health care use, patient satisfaction, and quality of life.

The researchers reviewed 38 randomized controlled trials of 50 or more patients, excluding studies that focused on mental health, substance use disorders, maternal care, and weight management.

“Studies comparing VTC with usual care that did not involve in-person care were more likely to favor the VTC group,” the researchers noted. “No studies evaluated the use of VTC for diagnosis or prevention of disease.”

No differences in harms were found between the intervention and control groups, and many studies did not report harms. None of the studies looked at video teleconferencing’s effect on health equity or disparities.

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funded the study conducted by researchers at Research Triangle International (RTI), an independent, nonprofit research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Results appeared in the Annals of Internal Medicine on Dec. 7, 2021.

LeadingAge CAST Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool

To bring telehealth technologies to your organization, use the LeadingAge CAST Telehealth and RPM Selection Tool. The tool—which includes a white paper, interactive guide, selection tool, matrix, and provider case studies—will help you narrow the available technologies to ones that best suit your organization’s needs.