Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
As Telemedicine Booms, 'Egregious Quality Issues' Worry Researchers
A new study shows that online doctors are failing to ask patients "simple, relevant questions," which have led them to misdiagnose a range of diseases.
Researchers posing as patients with skin problems sought help from 16 online telemedicine companies—with unsettling results. Some of the online doctors misdiagnosed syphilis, herpes and skin cancer, and some prescribed medications without asking key questions about patients’ medical histories or warning of adverse effects, the researchers found. Two sites linked users with doctors located overseas who aren’t licensed to practice where the patients were located, as required by state law. (Beck, 5/15)
This is part of the Morning Briefing, a summary of health policy coverage from major news organizations. Sign up for an email subscription.
