Table 2.

Policy implications arising from the integration of remote consultations into primary health care service delivery.

Health care policy should: • Ensure both remote and in-person consultation opportunities are available to meet the preferences and expectations of patients • Promote the potential of remote consultations to improve the coordination and integration of primary and secondary care providers • Promote remote assessment and monitoring of chronic disease with due regard to avoiding a ‘digital divide’ for patients unable or unwilling to engage with remote consultations • Ensure patients’ lack of digital access and digital literacy are not barriers to patient access to health care services

Health care policymakers should seek to ensure that: • Payment systems are in place that acknowledge the value of patient/health care professional interactions • Reimbursement issues do not impair the capacity of the appropriate integration of remote consultations into primary care models • IT infrastructure and support are available to enable health care professionals to utilize remote consultations effectively • Health care professionals have the skills required to deliver efficient and effective remote consultations that meet the needs and expectations of patients