JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Recent literature supports the efficacy and efficiency of telemedicine in improving various health outcomes, despite the wide variability in Understanding site-specific issues in the implementation of telemedicine trials for broader replication and generalizability of results is needed. Lessons can be learned from existing trials, and a blueprint can guide researchers to conduct these challenging studies using telemedicine more efficiently and effectively. This viewpoint presents relevant challenges and solutions for conducting multi-site telemedicine trials using seven ongoing and completed studies funded by the Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) portfolio of large multi-site trials to highlight the challenges in implementing telemedicine trials. Implementation challenges related to clinical, informatics, regulatory, legal, quality and billing were identified and described. Lessons learned from these studies were used to create a blueprint of key aspects to consider for the design and implementation of multi-site telemedicine trials.