Duke Researchers Compared Telehealth and In-Person Care

A new study examined clinical outcomes for infectious disease patients receiving remote versus onsite consultations.

Updated on Oct. 2, 2026 in COVID-19

Bold flat-color editorial illustration showing a stylized clinical examination chair and diagnostic light, representing remote healthcare analysis. — Duke University researchers found that telehealth consultations for infectious diseases yield clinical outcomes comparable to those of traditional in-person medical visits. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you trust a telehealth consultation as much as an in-person visit for serious medical care?

Duke University researchers analyzed clinical outcomes for 3,223 patients across two North Carolina hospitals to evaluate the efficacy of telehealth infectious disease consultations. The study compared remote care against traditional in-person visits to address a widespread shortage of specialists.

Why it matters

As 80% of U.S. counties lack an infectious disease physician, health systems are increasingly relying on tele-ID to manage patient caseloads. Determining if these remote consultations yield equivalent outcomes to in-person care is vital for maintaining standards during this specialist deficit.

The study found 30-day mortality was 9.2% for in-person patients and 8.7% for tele-ID consultations. Both patient groups had a median hospital stay of 7 days, though telehealth patients underwent more imaging procedures.

The players

Duke University

This private research university based in Durham oversees a major academic health system that provides clinical care across North Carolina.

Duke Regional Hospital

This facility served as the control site for the infectious disease consultation study.

Duke Raleigh Hospital

This hospital transitioned to exclusive telehealth infectious disease consultations during the latter half of the study period.

The details

Researchers at Duke Regional Hospital and Duke Raleigh Hospital tracked patient data between 2022 and 2025 as the latter facility transitioned to exclusive tele-ID consultations. The findings suggest that remote consultation models can achieve clinical results comparable to onsite visits, despite differences in diagnostic imaging utilization.

The study period for patient consultations took place from 2022 to 2025.

The Big Picture

This study addresses the challenges posed by the 80% of U.S. counties lacking an infectious disease physician. By validating telehealth outcomes, the research suggests a scalable alternative to traditional staffing models.

Patients may find that consultations with specialists occur more frequently via video calls rather than in-person visits to account for physician shortages. Those receiving remote care should be aware that their providers may order additional imaging to compensate for the lack of a physical exam.

The takeaway

Telehealth services are proving to be a viable clinical alternative for hospital-based infectious disease consultations. Patients should communicate clearly with their doctors regarding how remote consultations impact their diagnostic schedules and follow-up care plans.