Telemedicine journal and e-health : the official journal of the American Telemedicine Association
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Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is straining health care worldwide with >31 million confirmed cases. Currently, 1 in every 100 U. S. residents and 245,000 in New York City are confirmed positive. ⋯ Results: While telemedicine has reduced strain on in-person visits, preliminary reflections highlight implementation successes and challenges. Conclusions: To provide effective care beyond this crisis, fundamental changes in training, technological accessibility, and health care policy are needed. We propose open access to telehealth training, screening of patient's potential technological inequities and socioeconomic insecurities, and advocacy to secure broad long-term access to telehealth care.