The use of telemedicine in family medicine: a scoping review

Telemedicine is becoming increasingly important in primary health care globally. It is recognized as safe, convenient, and cost-effective. The aim of this study is to explore the use of telemedicine in family medicine services, focusing on identifying its areas of application, advantages, disadvantages, and the infrastructure required for effective implementation of this technology.

This scoping review was conducted in 2024 using the 5-step framework of Arksey and O'Malley. Comprehensive searches were carried out in the Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases, using keywords such as telemedicine, telehealth, virtual care, teleconsultation, family physician, and family medicine. The search was limited to publications from 2015 to 2024. A total of 37 relevant articles were included in the analysis.

Telemedicine is utilized in four primary areas of family medicine: prevention, treatment, monitoring and control, and consultation/administration. According to the frequency of mention in the studies reviewed, the key advantages of telemedicine include improved patient access, enhanced convenience for both patients and healthcare providers, increased patient safety, and greater flexibility in service delivery. However, several challenges were also noted, including the lack of physical examinations, communication and cognitive barriers, low digital literacy among patients and family physicians, and concerns about patient privacy. Essential infrastructure for effective telemedicine implementation comprises reliable information and communication technology, appropriate devices for patients and family physicians, robust technical support, well-defined guidelines and initiatives to enhance digital literacy.

Recognizing the advantages of telemedicine in family medicine, it is essential for national health systems to prioritize its integration and development. Telemedicine has the potential to transform the delivery of family medicine services by enhancing access for remote and underserved communities while substantially reducing costs for both patients and providers. However, achieving this potential necessitates the establishment of appropriate legal, technical, and cultural infrastructure.