ArticleBJGP open2024
Effectiveness and safety of asynchronous telemedicine consultations in general practice: a systematic review.
Article in BJGP open, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 23 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
23 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- A theory-based analysis of the implementation of online asynchronous telemedicine platforms into primary care practices using Normalisation Process Theory.BMC primary care · 2025Pooled it
- Recommendations for developing asynchronous online consultations for chlamydia treatment for underserved populations: a Behaviour Change Wheel analysis.Sexually transmitted infections · 2026Article
- Clinical Characteristics of an Emergency Department-led Asynchronous Care Platform.The western journal of emergency medicine · 2026Article
- Patient and caregiver use of patient portal features in primary care: a cross-sectional survey study of Ontarians.Primary health care research & development · 2026Article
- First the relationship, then the technology: Healthcare professionals' perceptions on how digital health solutions impact the interaction with patients.PEC innovation · 2026Article
- Association Between Physician Communication Features and Patient Outcomes in Telemedicine: Retrospective Cross-Sectional Observational Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2026Observational
- Effect of multi-domain interventions delivered via a smart-care platform on intrinsic capacity in older adults: a randomized controlled trial protocol.BMC geriatrics · 2026Article
- Quality of Informed Consent and Interface Usability in Primary Care e-Consultation: Cross-Sectional Study.JMIR human factors · 2026Article
- Article
- Digital Information Sharing Before Consultations in General Practice: Protocol for a Scoping Review.JMIR research protocols · 2025Article
- Benefits and challenges of asynchronous telemedicine in obtaining a second opinion: a qualitative interview study.BMJ open · 2025Article
- Validity and Reliability of the Berg Balance Scale in Different Tele-Assessment Methods in Patients With Stroke.Journal of evaluation in clinical practice · 2025Observational
- Primary care video consulting: a view from Northern Europe.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
- What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees.BMC primary care · 2025Article
- What motivates general practitioners of the future: qualitative study of Irish trainees.BMC primary care · 2025Article
- Article
- A Cost-Minimization Analysis of Teleconsultation Versus In-Person Care for Chronic Diseases and Rehabilitation in Medically Underserved Areas of South Korea.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Patients' Use of e-Consultations as an Alternative to Other General Practitioner Services: Cross-Sectional Survey Study.Journal of medical Internet research · 2025Article
- Challenges to quality in contemporary, hybrid general practice a multi-site longitudinal case study.The British journal of general practice : the journal of the Royal College of General Practitioners · 2025Article
- Telehealth and people with disabilities in the United Kingdom: a scoping review.Frontiers in public health · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundThere is a focus on increasing asynchronous telemedicine use, which allows medical data to be transmitted, stored, and interpreted later; however, limited evidence of the quality of care it allows in general practice hinders its use.
aimTo investigate uses and effectiveness of asynchronous telemedicine in general practice, according to the domains of healthcare quality, and describe how the COVID-19 pandemic changed its use. DESIGN &
settingSystematic review in general practice.
methodA systematic search was carried out across four databases using terms related to general practice, asynchronous telemedicine, uses, and effectiveness, and supported by citation searching. This was followed by screening according to pre-defined criteria, data extraction, and critical appraisal. Narrative synthesis was then undertaken guided by the six domains of healthcare quality and exploring differences in use before and following the COVID-19 pandemic.
resultsSearches yielded 6864 reports; 27 reports from 23 studies were included. Asynchronous telemedicine is used by a range of staff and patients across many countries. Safety and equity are poorly reported but there were no major safety concerns. Evidence from other domains of healthcare quality show effectiveness in making diagnoses, prescribing medications, replacing other consultations, providing timely care, and increased convenience for patients. Efficiency is impacted by negative effects on workflow, through poor implementation and patient non-adherence, limiting usability and requiring new administrative approaches from healthcare staff. Asynchronous telemedicine use increased rapidly from March 2020, following the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak.
conclusionAsynchronous telemedicine provides quality care for patients but is limited by reports of increased workload and inefficient workflow compared with face-to-face consultations. Limits of evidence include heterogeneity and small-scale studies. Further research into cost-effectiveness, equity, safety, and sustained implementation will influence future policy and practice.
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Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.