This study adopted 735 articles from the CNKI database and 31 185 telemedicine-related articles in the Web of Science Core Collection as research samples to conduct visual metrology analysis using Cite Space software. The result indicated existing difference between domestic and foreign research in the stage of research theme evolution and the main topics of telemedicine research. The main research topic includes the following four major areas: interaction between telemedicine and health system reform，telemedicine application mode and its service form development，the application of telemedicine in the specialized field of diseases and the evaluation of telemedicine operation. Further analysis shows that future researchers should pay more attention to the four following topics: starting the transition from telemedicine to smart medicine，offering new policy to overcome barriers to telemedicine development，establishing a new stage of telemedicine development under rural revitalization，and creating a new demand for the whole life cycle oriented to clinical value.