Telehealth could make managing chronic conditions like hypertension more cost effective, according to a study published in JMIR Medical Informatics.

Hypertension affects one in three adults, and medical costs have increased to $46 billion annually. Researchers in the study evaluated the effects of telehealth on improving self-management and reducing costs.

The study conducted a review of literary data to determine current barriers to telehealth implementation and measured projected long-term efficiency in improving chronic self-management. Results showed the implementation of telehealth would increase access, quality of care, patient knowledge and engagement. However, barriers persist in the forms of a lack of evidence and additional workload commitment.

“This review guides health care professionals in incorporating new practices and identifying the best methods to introduce telemedicine into their practices,” concluded first author Michael Mileski, MPH, MHA, MSHEd, and colleagues. “Understanding the facilitators and barriers to implementation is important, as is understanding how these factors will impact a successful implementation of telemedicine in the area of self-management of hypertension.”