AMA offers first national estimate of telemedicine use by physicians

WASHINGTON — The American Medical Association (AMA) today presented the first nationally representative estimates on how many physicians use telemedicine, and what functions it serves in their practices. Based on a 2016 survey of patient care physicians from all corners of the medical profession, the results gauge the emergence of telemedicine and its integration into health care delivery. The AMA’s benchmark telemedicine study was published in the December issue of Health Affairs.

“While regulatory and legislative changes have been implemented to encourage the use of telemedicine, there are no nationally representative estimates on its use by physicians across all medical specialties,” said Carol K. Kane, study co-author and AMA director of economic and health policy research.  “To fill this information gap, the AMA study surveyed 3,500 physicians to provide needed data that will help assess potential barriers and create strategies to promote telemedicine adoption.”