Factors Associated with the “Right Fit” for Use of Telemedicine
| Factor | Description | “Must Have” Condition | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Technology | System capacity to do video or phone visits; equipment to conduct the visit; adequate technological supplies, Internet access and bandwidth | Must have some minimum system on both sides (patient and provider/staff) | Some visits had to be converted to phone with voice only |
| Mindset | Knowledge, comfort, and willingness with doing a telemedicine visit (exclusive of technology issues) | All must be willing to engage | Some patients or clinicians not satisfied with a visit lacking video capabilities, physical exam, sufficient quality of clinician–patient communication |
| Health issue | The health condition to be addressed | Ability to do what is needed for the visit (ie, physical exam, discussion, labs, and so forth) | Some assessments can be modified and some tests not required to maintain a high-quality visit |