Why many physicians still avoid telehealth

Physicians are critical to telehealth’s long-term success. Yet, many physicians still think of telehealth as a Covid-era tool and are anxious to return to in-person care only. Some patients are similarly ready to return to in-person care, further coloring physicians’ views of telehealth’s long-term value.

There are many technical challenges to telehealth. But even when they are addressed, there are challenges to getting physicians to change their practice. Many physicians see telehealth as a threat to their identity, autonomy, and core beliefs about their roles as care providers. These are what we call “adaptive challenges.” Health care leaders must address these adaptive challenges as well as the technical challenges to win physicians‘ buy-in for telehealth.