The demand for virtual care has risen steadily in recent years – and for good reason. For healthcare providers, telehealth improves practice workflows and makes it easier to fine-tune patient treatment plans between visits.2 For patients, telehealth offers more convenient scheduling options and eliminates the need for travel.
Virtual care also enables providers to see more patients, which is especially important at a time when provider shortages are rampant. A recent survey indicated that 88% of physicians believe telemedicine has increased patient access to care.1
Other benefits of virtual care services include lower wait times, better adherence to treatment plans, and lower no-show rates.1
As virtual care continues to evolve, here are some trends to watch for:
- CONNECTED DEVICES. As remote patient monitoring devices become more accessible, wearables like continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices can help improve health outcomes in people with chronic conditions like diabetes.2
- ON-DEMAND SERVICES. Many telehealth companies now offer same-day or on-demand services, which allows patients and providers to connect earlier to help troubleshoot problems and adjust treatment plans.
- COMMUNICATION. Electronic messaging is making it easier for providers to interact with patients between visits. This enables faster coordination of care and treatment plan refinement to achieve better health outcomes.
- ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI). AI has the potential to improve practice workflows, make claims processing more efficient, integrate patient-reported outcomes (PROMs), improve coordination of care, identify disease “hotspots,” and help predict future disease based on risk factors and past treatment outcomes.3
Review your benefits summary to determine if virtual care is available for common illnesses like flu or sinus infections. Providers can often send prescriptions directly to your local pharmacy without the need for an in-person visit.
While insurance coverage for telehealth services continues to adapt to the demand, it appears virtual care is here to stay. The increasing use of virtual care will likely introduce new regulations and challenges. As new digital technologies emerge, patients and providers will also need to be adaptable yet cautious to maintain standards of care.
SOURCES
- Doximity. 2023 State of Telemedicine Report. Accessed Sept 27, 2023.
- Mayo Clinic. Telehealth: Technology meets health care. Jun 18, 2022. Accessed Sept 27, 2023.
- Amjad A, Kordel P, Fernandes G. A Review on Innovation in Healthcare Sector (Telehealth) through Artificial Intelligence. Sustainability. 2023; 15(8):6655. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15086655.