Trends and Challenges of Telehealth in an Academic Institution: The Unforeseen Benefits of the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.

The COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated a reorganization of healthcare delivery, shedding light on many unrealized advantages telehealth has to offer. Besides facilitating social distancing, minimizing the risk of pathogen exposure, and preserving healthcare resources, there are many benefits of utilizing this platform that can extend beyond the current pandemic, which will change to the way health care is delivered for generations to come. With the rapid expansion of telehealth, we present data from our high-volume academic institution's telehealth efforts, with a more focused analysis of Plastic Surgery. Although state legislation regarding telehealth varies greatly, we discuss challenges such as legal issues, logistical constraints, privacy concerns and billing. We also discuss various advantages and the future direction of telehealth not only for Plastic Surgery, but also its general use for the future of medicine in the United States.