Provider-to-provider telemedicine consultation

The use of telemedicine for provider-to-provider consultations can expedite high-quality care and streamline the process of obtaining orthopedic expertise by transferring expertise rather than transferring people. Obtaining real-time orthopedic expertise at the initial point of contact is rarely possible. PCPs (primary care physicians) can send the request asynchronously to a specialist, who can then review the pertinent clinical information and document their opinion. This chapter will focus on provider-to-provider telehealth consultations in the United States. The legal framework is improving as the federal government, states, providers, and patients push for more access to high-quality care.