Limited evidence to support use of interactive telemedicine

There was no difference between groups for all-cause mortality for patients with heart failure (moderate to high certainty of evidence) at a median of 6 months follow-up. Admissions to hospital ranged from a decrease of 64% to an increase of 60%, at median 8 months follow-up (moderate certainty of evidence). There was some evidence of improved quality of life (moderate certainty of evidence) for those allocated to TM as compared with usual care, at a median 3 months follow-up. In people with diabetes, there were lower HbA1c levels in those allocated to TM than in controls (high certainty of evidence), at a median of 9 months follow-up. TM patients also had decreased low density lipoprotein levels and blood pressure (moderate certainty of evidence). Studies involving different mental health and substance abuse problems reported no differences in the effect of therapy delivered over video-conferencing, as compared with face-to-face delivery.