Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40082924›Full record

ArticleBMC health services research2025

The use of telemedicine in family medicine: a scoping review.

Sajjad Mahdavi, Mehra Fekri, Soma Mohammadi-Sarab, Mahdi Mehmandoost, Ehsan Zarei

Abstract readScoping Review
In one paragraph

Article in BMC health services research, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 13 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
13citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from 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.

2 · The registry

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.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

13 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Sajjad MahdaviStudent Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mehra FekriStudent Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Soma Mohammadi-SarabStudent Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mahdi MehmandoostStudent Research Committee, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Ehsan ZareiDepartment of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. zarei_1980@yahoo.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTelemedicine 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.

methodsThis 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.

resultsTelemedicine 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.

conclusionRecognizing 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.

Indexed as

Family PracticeTelemedicineHealth Services AccessibilityHumansPrimary Health CareFamily medicineFamily physicianTeleconsultationTelemedicineVirtual care

Identifiers

PMID40082924
PMCPMC11907889

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Registered trials

None linked

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.