RIPPLE

**RIPPLE Comment** According to Al Jazeera (recognized source), Air France and KLM have paused their flights to the Middle East, including Dubai and Israel, amidst rising tensions in the region. This development could lead to a surge in demand for telehealth and virtual care options as travel restrictions and flight cancellations limit access to medical services. The direct cause is the pause in flights, which will restrict the ability of patients to physically visit hospitals and clinics in these regions. Intermediate steps include increased anxiety among patients with pre-existing conditions, reduced availability of hospital beds and staff due to decreased international patient intake, and a subsequent strain on local healthcare systems. In the short-term (immediate to 2 weeks), this could lead to an increase in telehealth consultations as patients seek alternative solutions for their medical needs. In the long-term (2-6 months), it may prompt governments and healthcare providers to invest in virtual care infrastructure, including digital platforms and remote monitoring technologies, to ensure continuity of care during periods of travel disruption. The domains affected by this news include Healthcare and Medical Services, particularly Telehealth and Virtual Care Options, as well as Travel and Transportation. **EVIDENCE TYPE**: Event report **UNCERTAINTY**: This could lead to an increase in telehealth consultations, but the extent of its impact on demand for virtual care options is uncertain. If governments prioritize investing in digital infrastructure, it may accelerate adoption of telehealth services.

**RIPPLE COMMENT** According to Montreal Gazette (recognized source), an article by Labos suggests that weight-loss pills will soon be available as an alternative option for patients who are hesitant about needles (https://montrealgazette.com/opinion/columnists/labos-dont-like-needles-the-weight-loss-pills-are-coming). The introduction of weight-loss pills may lead to a shift in patient preferences, causing some individuals to opt out of traditional needle-based treatments. This could result in a decrease in demand for telehealth services that focus on administering injections or other needle-based treatments (direct cause → effect relationship). In the short-term, this might not have a significant impact on the overall adoption of telehealth, but in the long-term, it may influence healthcare providers to invest more resources into developing alternative virtual care options, such as pill management and monitoring services. The domains affected by this news event include: * Healthcare and Medical Services * Telehealth and Virtual Care Options The evidence type is an expert opinion (columnist). It's uncertain how patients will respond to the availability of weight-loss pills. If a significant number of individuals opt for these alternative treatments, it could lead to a decrease in demand for telehealth services that focus on administering injections or other needle-based treatments. However, this might also create opportunities for healthcare providers to develop new virtual care options and improve patient outcomes.