Over the past couple of years, we have seen how technology is making a difference in the healthcare system. Advancements in telehealth and telemedicine have created methods to deliver virtual medical, health, and educational services. We have seen healthcare providers partner with rideshare services to increase access to care, and the adoption of medical wearables in the aging populations. In the midst of COVID-19, with many in-person interactions cancelled, telehealth has been vital in keeping healthcare moving forward. With all the success and hype that surrounds these new medical technologies, you may forget to ask about the challenges in telehealth. Even though digital therapeutics lower healthcare costs and can be just as or more effective than in-person services, there are still issues in adopting these practices. There are indeed challenges in telehealth adoption. Today I’ll explore some of the challenges in telehealth and predict what the future holds for digital healthcare. Challenges in Telehealth Adoption Even though nearly 10 million patients receive telemedicine services annually, there are still hurdles telehealth needs to overcome. Not only are there regulation issues, there are also financial and even technological considerations. Believing the Hype Like with most new technologies, there is a period of hype. We’ve all been excited for something, like a new smartphone or movie, only to be disappointed later. We get so excited for the possibility of what could be; we may not take the time to recognize what we actually have. One of the challenges to telehealth will be to recognize the limits of telehealth. We need to seriously consider the current and future research and studies into telehealth services. Healthcare systems are not ready to change the way they can care for their patients unless it makes sense financially, and there is sufficient evidence of success. Not every telehealth service will be more effective or cost less than comparable in-person services. Furthermore, not every new technology is going to be applicable in the healthcare system. While we should be excited for what telehealth could bring, it is important to also recognize the potential shortcomings. Cutting the Red Tape Licensing is one of the major challenges in telehealth adoption. Now that most telemedicine services operate across several states, licensing is becoming a huge barrier. For those wishing to practice across state lines, they will need to follow the rules...