After 18 months of post-pandemic telemedicine, we have enough data to ask the honest question: how do video consults compare?

Telemedicine boomed during COVID and never quite went away. But how does it actually compare on patient outcomes and satisfaction?

The findings

  • Patient satisfaction: 4.4/5 in person vs 4.2/5 video — statistically smaller gap than expected.
  • Follow-up compliance: +18% on video consults — convenience wins.
  • Diagnostic accuracy: no significant difference for follow-ups and chronic disease management.
  • First-time consults: 14% rate of in-person follow-up required — not insignificant.
Telemedicine is roughly equivalent for follow-ups, and noticeably worse for first-time complex diagnoses. Use it accordingly.