China is set to become the largest market for telemedicine , which allows patients to schedule digital appointments with doctors across geographical divisions . Researchers predict the country will soon overtake the US and Japanese markets . The American Telemedicine Association has said more than 90 % of urgent illness conditions can be tackled via technology . The technology is not without drawbacks : sharing of tissue or blood samples across countries is difficult and the technology relies on third - party observations to replace physical examinations by doctors . -- In the past, seeing a physician and getting medical treatment could mean taking the day off work or traveling long distances to the doctor's office. Joint ventures in telemedicine were a leading theme at the recent US - China Innovation and Investment Summit in Texas .
China is set to become the largest market for telemedicine , which allows patients to schedule digital appointments with doctors across geographical divisions . Researchers predict the country will soon overtake the US and Japanese markets . The American Telemedicine Association has said more than 90 % of urgent illness conditions can be tackled via technology . The technology is not without drawbacks : sharing of tissue or blood samples across countries is difficult and the technology relies on third - party observations to replace physical examinations by doctors . Joint ventures in telemedicine were a leading theme at the recent US - China Innovation and Investment Summit in Texas .