Direct to Consumer Care in COVID-19 and Other Public Health Crises

Abstract

Direct-to-consumer care (DTC) is a popular subset of telemedicine ideal for delivering large volumes of health care during a pandemic or other public health crisis conditions. DTC has the potential to relieve the burden of health care shortages and improve patient safety and outcomes during widespread disease. Below is a brief discussion exploring perspectives and evidence for DTC as a business modality, including the advantages and disadvantages of using DTC for providing health care during a pandemic.