Video visits get high marks from docs, patients

Patients and physicians report virtual doctor visits done through videoconferencing were similar to face-to-face visits on most measures, according to a study published in the May issue of the Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare.

The two-round study randomized 175 patients, with each completing a virtual and face-to-face visit with a different physician in the first round. In the second round, patients completed two face-to-face visits with different physicians. Patients found virtual visits similar to face-to-face visits, including time spent with the physician, ease of interaction, and personal aspects of the interaction.

Physicians scored virtual visits similar to face-to-face visits on measures including history taking and medication dispensing.