US telehealth startups are booming – they may put patients at risk

In the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, virtual healthcare startups have flooded the US market. These companies promise consumers easy, speedy healthcare without the hassles of office visits. But such convenience comes with a price – namely an increased risk of misdiagnoses, overprescribing and privacy concerns.

Telehealth, or the ability to meet with doctors virtually, has existed for decades. But it wasn’t until the covid-19 pandemic that it hit the mainstream. Between March and October 2020, the …