Enhanced Telehealth Accessibility: Benefits and Challenges for General Practice

The expansion of telehealth services has significantly increased ease of access to medical consultations, allowing patients to connect with their healthcare providers through digital platforms via phone, video, or electronic messaging. This shift, accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic, has led to approximately 20% of general practice consultations in Norway being conducted remotely. While convenient for patients, this digital transformation presents complex implications for healthcare providers.

According to Magnus Wanderås, a general practitioner with a doctorate from the University of Agder, enhanced telehealth availability can inadvertently elevate the workload for GPs and potentially compromise the quality of care. Remote consultations enable faster interactions and can theoretically serve more patients, yet nearly 20% of these digital visits still require follow-up in-person appointments to adequately address the health issue.

Wanderås notes that remote consultations may contribute to double bookings and added strain on healthcare professionals. Furthermore, increased accessibility might encourage patients to seek advice for minor concerns, some of which may be unnecessary or trivial, such as inquiries about throat lozenges. This phenomenon can burden GPs with non-urgent questions and complicate the triage process.

Another challenge is the limitation of digital interactions in addressing non-verbal cues and physical examinations crucial for comprehensive diagnoses. GPs report that 'doorknob questions'—important issues raised at the end of consultations—are often missed in digital formats, potentially leading to overlooked concerns like mental health or substance issues.

While the Norwegian government has proposed measures to make video consultations mandatory, Wanderås advises maintaining flexibility for GPs to adapt their practices based on their professional judgment. He emphasizes that technological innovation should be employed thoughtfully, recognizing that not all digital advancements translate to progress. In some cases, a step back may be necessary to ensure quality and sustainability in healthcare delivery.

Overall, while telehealth provides undeniable benefits in terms of accessibility and convenience, careful consideration and strategic implementation are essential to prevent overburdening healthcare providers and to preserve the quality of patient care.

Source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-05-telehealth-access-boosts-convenience-strain.html