Continuity-Driven Escalation in Telehealth: Redefining Transitions in Outpatient Care

Current approaches to evaluating telehealth often rely on single-encounter outcomes, which may not reflect how outpatient care unfolds over time. Transitions from virtual to in-person care are frequently interpreted as limitations of remote care rather than as part of clinical decision-making. This editorial introduces the concept of continuity-driven escalation, defined as the clinically guided progression of care across settings within a unified diagnostic pathway. Reframing telehealth within this model shifts evaluation from isolated visits to the broader trajectory of care. Recognizing this distinction may improve the interpretation of telehealth outcomes and support more accurate assessment of care quality.