An emergency physician is calling for a fundamental redesign of patient intake, suggesting the traditional waiting room may be nearing its end. In a recent opinion piece, Dr. Iyesatta Massaquoi Emeli argues that virtual care offers an opportunity to rethink how patients enter the health care system.
The piece, published by STAT News, contends that the waiting room model is outdated and ripe for disruption. Telehealth, already accelerated by the pandemic, could streamline access and reduce unnecessary in-person visits, according to the author.
Dr. Emeli, an emergency physician, does not provide specific data or timelines in the article. The argument is framed as a call to action for health systems to adopt more patient-centered digital entry points.
The shift could affect patients, providers, and insurers by lowering barriers to care and potentially reducing overcrowding in emergency departments. However, it also raises questions about digital access and equity.
Critics might note that the piece is an opinion, not a study, and that virtual care still faces regulatory and reimbursement hurdles. Telehealth adoption has also plateaued in some regions.