Telehealth Gaining Popularity despite Some Drawbacks

​Although telehealth visits are gaining popularity among consumers, health plans, and employers, some physician groups and state medical boards say that e-visits can undermine the physician/patient relationship and reduce care quality, according to a May 8, 2014,Wall Street Journalarticle. Proponents say that telehealth services are a lower-cost alternative to emergency department visits and can expand access in underserved rural areas. However, critics say that the overprescription of antibiotics and underuse of laboratory testing are common problems with e-visits.