Critical Analysis of Telemedicine Implementation: Evaluating Barriers, Outcomes, and Sustainability in Modern Healthcare Systems

Telemedicine is a new spectacle in the sphere of healthcare provision, particularly in the post-COVID-19 period. This is a critical review of the multifaceted role of telemedicine in healthcare systems between 2020 and 2025, including its impact on patient outcomes, barriers to adoption, and long-term sustainability. Through a systematic review of recent primary data, the paper demonstrates that while telemedicine is essential for reducing wait times and expanding access to underserved areas, there remains much to learn, including reimbursement, digital literacy, and inequities among vulnerable populations. The paper critically evaluates the paradoxical consequences of telemedicine, which improve access but, conversely, can further exacerbate disparities. The most important findings show that system-level interventions (infrastructure, policy frameworks, and stakeholder engagement) are needed to implement changes effectively. By incorporating evidence-based data and providing practice-based recommendations to practitioners and policymakers, the paper contributes to the knowledge base of healthcare management and facilitates the sustainable implementation of telemedicine.