Telemedicine: Hurdles Now, Potential Improvements Later

​The novelty of telemedicine technology and its applications make it difficult to estimate its long-ranging effects on the practice of medicine. Telemedicine can improve access to care and lower costs, notes a perspective in the April 30, 2015, New England Journal of Medicine; however, its effectiveness depends on the skill of those using it, regulation cannot predict the capabilities of the technology and cannot keep pace with its demands, the consequences of telemedicine are unknown because it is a relatively new practice, and finally, posits the author, telemedicine changes the physician-patient relationship in unknown ways.