Technology has influenced nearly every sector of the economy, and the health care industry is following suit. Among telemedicine’s many benefits are the potential to exponentially expand a provider’s geographic footprint, use doctors’ time more efficiently and dramatically reduce the barriers to patient interaction.

Health care leaders tell us that their organizations are committed to continuing to implement telemedicine programs, even as they face challenges such as getting doctors to buy into the programs and insurers to pay for them. Why? For the majority of respondents, it’s simple — they believe telemedicine will help them keep patients healthier.

This report is based on feedback from health care leaders, the majority of whom are C-level executives from for-profit and nonprofit care providers, including hospitals, home health organizations and physician group practices. We asked them to evaluate the prospects for improved patient care and streamlined operations through telemedicine advancements, as well as regulatory hurdles and obstacles to reimbursement.