Developing robust telemedicine programs and revamping remote care initiatives in hepatology will be critical during COVID times. The next challenge will be how to integrate telemedicine into routine c

• For liver diseases, there have been successful experiences with the use of different modalities of telemedicine [i.e. asynchronous telemedicine (analysis of patient's data by a single physician or multidisciplinary team), synchronous real-time patient management and tele-education]
• Our Telemedicine program showed successful results as the sustained virologic responses achieved by those patients treated in primary care settings under the expert guidance.
• Currently, this type of care is considered a vital tool for the goal of global elimination of HCV infection.In addition to HCV management, telemedicine offers opportunities for a better management of patients with chronic liver diseases by increasing their access to tertiary care, thus improving efficiency of healthcare delivery at reasonable cost .
•  We forsee expansion of telemedicine into other areas of hepatology is desirable and hold potential for improving management of pre- and post-liver transplant patients, patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and patients with both compensated and decompensated cirrhosis.
• It is important to note that in liver transplant setting existing data suggest that use of telemedicine may expedite evaluation and listing of patients referred to liver transplant centers and could improve outcomes (hospital readmissions, and quality of life) after liver transplantation.
• In the case of HCC, telemedicine aslo offers the possibility of multidisciplinary evaluation in virtual tumor boards leading to tailored and more effective treatments . Finally, in cirrhosis, telemedicine may enhance self-care and facilitate HCC surveillance eventually preventing readmissions in recently hospitalized patients.
• With the onset of COVID-19 pandemic everyone has forced the implementation of telemedicine actions for many liver patients.
• Major international societies have released recommendations encouraging the use of remote care to manage patients with all liver diseases, particularly liver transplant patients.
• However, the crisis will seriously impact cirrhosis care with social distancing and isolation causing major delays in elective procedures and routine care with potential overwhelm of medical centers managing postponed and potentially decompensated patients in the upcoming months.
• Developing robust telemedicine programs and revamping remote care initiatives in hepatology will be critical during COVID times. The next challenge will be how to integrate telemedicine into routine clinical care beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.