Evaluating telehealth: a systematic review of its effectiveness and challenges post Covid-19

Abstract

Telehealth has never been so popular as it has been since the start and of the COVID- 19 pandemic. Telehealth use first increased when the pandemic limited people from seeking regular healthcare services at their regular local hospitals and clinics. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and challenges of telehealth post-COVID-19 and make a comparative analysis between telehealth and traditional in-person healthcare services. The methodology involved a comprehensive literature search, selecting studies from various databases that addressed the effectiveness and challenges of telehealth post-COVID-19. Inclusion criteria were established to ensure the relevance and quality of the selected studies, focusing on peer-reviewed articles, case studies, and reviews published between 2020 and 2025. The findings indicate that while telehealth exhibits significant potential and effectiveness for improving healthcare accessibility and efficiency and is slightly preferred to in-person healthcare services, it still faces ongoing challenges in its implementation and widespread adoption. The review highlights both the effectiveness of telehealth in various healthcare settings and the need for addressing issues related to technological infrastructure, patient privacy, technological familiarity and training to ensure its long-term success. In conclusion, while telehealth offers substantial benefits for healthcare delivery, its effectiveness is dependent upon addressing the identified challenges. The study emphasizes the need for a collaborative approach involving healthcare providers, policymakers, and technology developers to create a sustainable and equitable telehealth framework. Proper investment in technology, comprehensive training programs, and supportive policy development are crucial for overcoming the barriers to fully harnessing the benefits of telehealth in the post-COVID-19 era.