Perspectives

Telemedicine: Raising the Bar or Crouching Beneath It?

Authors: Larry M. Bush, MD, Edlira Maska, MD

Abstract

Having been educated, trained, and considerably experienced in what is best described as traditional medicine and knowing full well that other medical professionals may disagree, we believe it necessary to voice our serious concerns and fervent opinions as they relate to the present-day burgeoning practice of telemedicine. The current expansion of this nontraditional approach to clinical care and its acceptance by diverse physician and nonphysician providers as well as by most patients results in large part from the growing endorsement by most medical specialty organizations. In addition, recent changes to laws governing reimbursement for virtual health services by private and governmental payors further contributed to the growing approval and recognition of telemedicine as an alternative way of practicing medicine.1

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