Patient and Clinician Attitudes Towards Telemedicine for Allergy and Immunology

The use of telemedicine has increased in allergy/immunology, with rapid uptake of its use during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing data indicate an overall positive view of telemedicine by patients, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, patients and clinicians prefer in person visits for specific types of allergy/immunology encounters, such as those requiring a physical exam or diagnostic testing. The most data for telemedicine exist with asthma, and provide a model for treatment technique, therapeutic monitoring, and education in other allergic and immunologic conditions. Clinician satisfaction is also necessary for telemedicine to be an enduring option for patient/clinician interactions, and this is influenced by a multitude of factors, including technology quality, reimbursement, and maintenance of patient/clinician relationships. Areas of future research should include the need for more outcome data in additional disease states, which will likely help facilitate improved logistical policies around telemedicine that would facilitate its adoption