{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,7,6]],"date-time":"2026-07-06T15:08:43Z","timestamp":1783350523773,"version":"3.54.6"},"reference-count":28,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,1]],"date-time":"2025-08-01T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1754006400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Public Health"],"abstract":"<jats:sec><jats:title>Background<\/jats:title><jats:p>The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption of telemedicine (TM) in Colombia as a tool for delivering healthcare for both chronic and non-chronic conditions. This study aimed to explore the perspectives of healthcare providers, directors, and managers on TM implementation within a major health plan provider covering 15% of the Colombia population.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title><jats:p>Mixed-methods study was conducted, combining surveys and in-depth interviews with medical professionals and decision-makers. Thematic analysis of qualitative data and statistical analysis of survey responses provided insights into the challenges and opportunities of TM during the pandemic.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Results<\/jats:title><jats:p>Healthcare providers recognized TM as a valuable tool but identified key challenges to its optimization. Three main strategies were proposed: (1) enhancing medical training to improve remote diagnosis, (2) integrating wearables and digital technologies to support clinical decision-making, and (3) fostering a culture of TM use among patients and providers to ensure acceptance and sustainability.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec><jats:sec><jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title><jats:p>Telemedicine facilitated equitable healthcare delivery and contributed to reducing the digital gap in Colombia. However, to ensure long-term viability, national policies must improve internet connectivity and strengthen primary care infrastructure, particularly in underserved regions.<\/jats:p><\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1643085","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,8,1]],"date-time":"2025-08-01T05:31:52Z","timestamp":1754026312000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":3,"title":["Perspectives of healthcare providers on telemedicine implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic in Colombia: a mixed-method study"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Susana Orrego","family":"Villegas","sequence":"first","affiliation":[],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Eric","family":"Adjei 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