future of telehealth

The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the adoption for telehealth. How have patients and HCPs adapted to the use of telemedicine, and where are new opportunities for improvements? We spoke with PCPs and patients over 3 waves - July 2020, February 2021, and June 2021 to gain a holistic, longitudinal understanding of their experiences and perceptions of telemedicine. 

 

The Rapid Shift to Telehealth
PCP adoption of telehealth exploded due to COVID.

 

rapid shift 2021

 

 

 

 

"The telehealth market is expected to grow at a remarkable 40% by 2023."

 
 

- Source: The Business Research Company

 

 

Physician Perspectives on Telehealth
Using eCollageTM to surface emotions through imagery, positive and negative themes emerged in July 2020 - a welcome efficiency, freedom, and feeling disconnected.
 

 

 

Experiences
PCPs & Patients Use Telehealth for Ongoing & New Issues - More Initial Visits in UK

reasons for telehealth pcps patients 

 

Physician & Patient Reviews

satisfaction dissatisfaction

 

 

Platforms Used by PCPs
PCP's are using the same platforms as the rest of us, but specialized platforms are emerging

platforms using

 

 

 

UK Experiences Differ From US
In the UK, in-person appointments were discouraged for much of last year. Telemedicine appointments as the only option may be contributing to some of the frustrations we see.

 

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The Future of Telehealth

PCPs predict the shift to telehealth will stick as a complement to in-person

final future outlook


  • Especially in the UK, where 7 in 10 predict using it often or exclusively 3 years from now
  • Most in the US and nearly all in the UK expect to be using at least sometimes as it's better suited to specific situations & patients, such as:
    • Initial consultations

    • Reviewing longer-term chronically ill patients

    • Simple, acute illnesses

    • Younger patients

 

 

PCPs & patients both seeking improved technology...


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patient - yellow shirtdr pink shirt

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PCPs

Both

Patients

  • Better apps & tools available for remote diagnosis / monitoring
  • Easier integration to systems & processes
  • Improved internet access / connectivity
  • Better quality video & IT for more reliable consultations... plus better patient competency
  • Longer appointments
  • Ways to make more personal

                        

               

Considerations Going Forward

While telehealth safely and efficiently meets some needs, there are still a lot of opportunities for improvement. Some of these are larger infrastructure issues, but they are strong barriers that may hinder usage in the future for both providers and patients.

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Adoption has rapidly accelerated – for both PCPs & patients – the trend will continue

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Challenges in technology present short-term barriers; Hybrid methods will also evolve

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Access issues need addressing – education, financial, ease of use

 



telehealth webinarCo-published with Atlas Primary, experts in physician solutions   atlas-1