• Omaira Azizad and Girish P Joshi.
• Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Management, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA.
• Curr Opin Anaesthesiol. 2021 Dec 1; 34 (6): 672677672-677.

Purpose Of ReviewThe in-person preanesthesia visit serves multiple purposes including identification and optimization of comorbid conditions as well as patient education. However, it imposes a significant burden on patients and healthcare providers. In this review, we define the scope of telemedicine and present the most up-to-date literature supporting its role for the preanesthesia evaluation. The opportunities and challenges are discussed and approaches to implementation of telemedicine in preanesthesia care are offered. Finally, the future of telemedicine as it pertains to preanesthesia care is examined.Recent FindingsAlthough telemedicine for preanesthesia practice was proposed almost two decades ago, the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated its implementation. The potential benefits of telemedicine include improved patient satisfaction as well as the ability to provide cost-effective specialty services while reducing the burden on healthcare providers. Limitations to telemedicine include lack of technology, training, regulatory barriers, and an inability to perform a physical exam.SummaryTelemedicine will continue to expand and its application to the preanesthesia evaluation is a clear example of how technology will revolutionize anesthesia practice. In order for telemedicine to continue to expand in the postpandemic period, steps must be taken to ensure that healthcare facilities and providers keep up with the times.Copyright © 2021 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

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