Telehealth boomed during COVID, but in some areas, its promise fell short

Medical Xpress December 1, 2025
Kevin Manne, University at Buffalo

While telehealth use surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, some U.S. counties struggled to use resources efficiently, revealing widespread misallocation of health care infrastructure, workforce and technology, according to new research from the University at Buffalo School of Management.

Recently published in Operational Research, the study found significant inefficiencies with telehealth in the Midwest and across rural regions of the U.S., largely tied to limited broadband access, workforce shortages and challenges in people’s everyday lives that make it harder to stay healthy.

“Telehealth was vital during the pandemic, but despite similar policy support nationwide, efficiency varied dramatically,” says study co-author Raj Sharman, Ph.D., professor of management science and systems in the UB School of Management.

“For example, while counties in California...

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