Is telehealth as effective as in-person care? A large clinical trial published in JAMA compared telehealth with in-person care and found them equally effective for improving quality of life. The study followed 1,250 patients with advanced lung cancer at 22 sites across the United States who were receiving early palliative care, which is specialized care focused on managing the symptoms of serious illness.
Telehealth as effective as in-person care: what the researchers found
Patients who received palliative care by telehealth after an initial in-person visit reported quality-of-life scores equivalent to those who received all of their care in the office. Caregiver quality of life, patient and caregiver satisfaction, and mood symptoms were also similar between the two groups.
Why it matters for patients
Telehealth removes the need to travel, which helps people who live far from a clinic, have chronic or disabling conditions, or find it hard to leave home. The study authors argue that these results support keeping telehealth accessible.
If telehealth as effective as in-person care sounds right for you, note that at Client Centered Care every visit is a telehealth visit, so you can talk with your provider from home. Telehealth is for non-urgent care only. Browse our telehealth services or request an appointment. In an emergency, call 911.
Sources: Yale School of Medicine news article and the study in JAMA.
