Evaluating the Effectiveness of Telemedicine in Managing Common Conditions in Family Medicine: Telemedicine Outcomes in Family Medicine

Nimra Siddiqui; Noor Ul Huda Zaki; Komal Samir; Unaiza Khalid; Naveen Khawaja; Shaharyar Ahsan

doi:10.54393/pjhs.v6i8.3385

Authors

Nimra Siddiqui Department of Family Medicine, Ziauddin Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Noor Ul Huda Zaki Department of Family Medicine, The Aga Khan University Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan
Komal Samir Department of Family Medicine, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Unaiza Khalid Department of Family Medicine, Indus Hospital and Health Network, Karachi, Pakistan
Naveen Khawaja Department of Family Medicine, Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan
Shaharyar Ahsan Department of Research and Development, Scientia Nova, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54393/pjhs.v6i8.3385

Keywords:

Telemedicine, Telehealth: Remote Treatment, Virtual Care, Healthcare

Abstract

Telemedicine has been progressively implemented worldwide for managing common presentations in family medicine, a cornerstone of primary care. Its implementation has accelerated since the COVID-19 pandemic, offering improved healthcare access, cost-effectiveness, reduced hospital visits, and better clinical outcomes. Objectives: To evaluate the effectiveness of telemedicine in managing common conditions in family medicine. Methods: This systematic review was performed in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. An electronic search of PubMed, Google Scholar, and Science Direct databases was performed for papers published from January 2014 until December 2023. We included studies in English that measured telemedicine efficacy among common acute or chronic conditions in the family medicine setting. Results: In the 14 trials included, telemedicine successfully managed a variety of common conditions. Aggregate outcomes revealed that readmission to hospitals among patients with heart failure was significantly decreased, better clinical status in diabetes and obesity, including diet habits, BMI enzymion and blood pressure. Conclusions: Telemedicine is an effective tool for managing common conditions encountered in family medicine, boosting care access, cost-efficiency, and clinical outcomes. Targeting the development of evidence-based guidelines for hybrid care models and evaluations of long-term effects on chronic disease outcomes, research is needed.

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