. 2021 Aug;17(1):73–90. doi: 10.12927/hcpol.2021.26576

Table 2.

Most frequently reported advantages and limitations of telehealth over in-person visits

Advantages	Limitations
> 400 respondents ✓ Less travelling for patients and professionals (159) ✓ Faster appointments, less waste of time (124) ✓ More efficient (78) ✓ Availability and flexibility (78) ✓ Facilitates access (78) ✓ Less risk of infection (69) ✓ Ideal for chronic illness follow-ups, prescriptionrenewals or compliance follow-up (56) ✓ Easier to organize (54)	> 396 respondents ╳ Lack of physical exam (179) ╳ More complicated for some patients (e.g., those with technical barriers; the elderly population; allophones; new patients; patients with visual, auditory or cognitive impairment; the vulnerable population; etc.) (135) ╳ Harder to establish a diagnosis (96) ╳ Duplication of consultations with an appointment in-person (82) ╳ Lack of non-verbal information (74) ╳ Longer, more complicated (72) ╳ Difficulties regarding technology (58) ╳ Not appropriate for certain cases (58)

Advantages

Limitations

> 400 respondents
✓ Less travelling for patients and professionals (159)
✓ Faster appointments, less waste of time (124)
✓ More efficient (78)
✓ Availability and flexibility (78)
✓ Facilitates access (78)
✓ Less risk of infection (69)
✓ Ideal for chronic illness follow-ups, prescriptionrenewals or compliance follow-up (56)
✓ Easier to organize (54)

> 396 respondents
╳ Lack of physical exam (179)
╳ More complicated for some patients (e.g., those with technical barriers; the elderly population; allophones; new patients; patients with visual, auditory or cognitive impairment; the vulnerable population; etc.) (135)
╳ Harder to establish a diagnosis (96)
╳ Duplication of consultations with an appointment in-person (82)
╳ Lack of non-verbal information (74)
╳ Longer, more complicated (72)
╳ Difficulties regarding technology (58)
╳ Not appropriate for certain cases (58)