Telehealth does not raise rates of low-value Primary Care

Recent research reveals that telehealth in primary care does not contribute to an increase in low-value services, such as unnecessary tests or scans, countering concerns about wasteful healthcare practices. This finding addresses a significant apprehension among healthcare leaders regarding the potential for telehealth to escalate costs through redundant or unnecessary care. The study highlights that the integration of telehealth into primary care practices has not led to an uptick in these services, suggesting that virtual consultations are maintaining, if not improving, care efficiency. These results are encouraging for healthcare systems aiming to adopt telehealth solutions without compromising resource optimization. This evidence supports the continued expansion of telehealth as a reliable and cost-effective mode of delivering primary care.