Recent research on abnormally high blood pressure hints virtual consulting is just as effectual in controlling hypertension as those conducted in person. The study was supervised by the researcher from Brigham & Women’s Hospital (B&W) and Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH).

"The use of virtual visits to reduce in-person office utilization without less effects on blood pressure control or the need for other services could significantly expand access for patients with busy primary care practices,” Dr. Michael Levine, Doctor and Researcher at B&W and Harvard Medical School, and the study’s lead author, said in a statement. “Many groups, especially insurance companies, have been doubtful of virtual care because they believe it may increase the use of health care services, but our findings show that a virtual visit can substitute for, rather than add to, an in-person visit, decreasing overall health care utilization.”

The study conducted by Levine and co-worker developed a retrospective unit of 1,783 MGH hypertension patients, half of whom consulted in person and half of whom participated in the virtual visit. These participants were matched by inclination scores, with both groups settled of patients and had around five recorded chronic conditions. Virtual visits mentioned in the study were conducted between 2012 and 2016, where patients were asked to enter blood pressure readings per session, medication-taking practices, side effects, and to ask question-related to their health. Accordingly, physicians reviewed these at the same time and made adjustments in patients’ care.

"Our central finding was that you can use online, non-simultaneous communication to manage a chronic medical condition without office visits that can be inconvenient for patients and add to demands placed on busy primary care practices,” Dr. Ronald Dixon, a study co-author and practitioner at MGH, said in a statement.