The Impact of Introducing a Temporary Telemedicine Policy on Primary Care Visits: An Analysis of National Claims Data in South Korea

<b>Background</b>: This study evaluates the impact of temporary telemedicine implementation on primary care visits, which surged during the COVID-19 pandemic in South Korea. <b>Methods</b>: This study was conducted using national claims data from February 24, 2020 to February 23, 2021. The study included 1,926,300 patients with acute mild respiratory diseases and 1,031,174 patients with acute mild gastrointestinal diseases. The study compared medication prescriptions, follow-up visit patterns, and safety outcomes, including admissions to emergency departments (EDs), general wards (GWs), and intensive care units (ICUs), between telemedicine and in-person visits. <b>Results</b>: Telemedicine was linked to higher medication prescription rates for both respiratory and gastrointestinal conditions, higher levels of antibiotics use, and longer prescription durations. Patients who had an initial telemedicine consultation were more likely to have an in-person follow-up visit within 1 day. Conversely, those with an initial in-person visit were more inclined to use telemedicine for their early second visit within 1 day. There were no significant differences in ED or ICU admissions, except for a slight increase in GW admissions for gastrointestinal conditions. <b>Conclusion</b>: Telemedicine can effectively complement in-person care for acute mild conditions without compromising patient safety, suggesting its potential for broader integration into primary care. Further studies are recommended to optimize telemedicine use and address any long-term impacts on health care delivery.