TELEMEDICINE AND ITS POTENTIAL FOR IMPROVING HEALTH EQUITY AND REDUCING DISPARITIES IN HEALTHCARE ACCESS AND OUTCOMES – A SYSTEMATIC REVIEW

Telemedicine, a rapidly growing trend in healthcare, aims to increase access to medical care. This review critically evaluates the ef ectiveness of Telemedicine in promoting health equity and minimizing disparities. The review also examines its impact on relevant health outcomes. Based on a comprehensive literature study, Telemedicine has shown promising results in improving patient access to treatment for various clinical conditions, leading to better health outcomes, increased equity in health, and decreased disparities in some cases. The findings highlight the importance of considering health equity when implementing Telemedicine in healthcare systems. Further research on Telemedicine disparities is needed to identify and address the specific barriers that hinder access for underserved populations. Notably, Telemedicine has emerged as a crucial tool during the COVID-19 pandemic, facilitating diagnostic, triage, and medical care processes, reducing hospital transfers, optimizing hospital space, and curbing disease spread. This review focuses on recent publications from the past ten years, utilizing the search term "Telemedicine and health equity" in PubMed and MEDLINE databases for the years 2000 to 2022. The transformative potential of Telemedicine in delivering healthcare, reaching underserved patients, and saving time and resources for both patients and healthcare professionals cannot be overstated.