Potential disadvantages of virtual health care

Telemedicine has been a hard sell in some areas.

• Many rural clinics and community hospitals fear that their already inadequate medical staffing and the revenues generated from on-site procedures will be further diminished by remote medicine.
• Old and poor patients who may need care the most can't afford smartphones or broadband connectivity.
• Until recently, many people were unaware that the service existed, while others didn't trust an anonymous doctor.
• Many people want to be in the physical presence of their physicians, believing the quality of virtual care is inferior.