The Rise of Telehealth

Telehealth refers to the use of digital information and communication technologies, such as computers and mobile devices, to provide access to medical services and information remotely. With the COVID-19 pandemic highlighting the benefits of remote care, telehealth has rapidly expanded over the past two years. A combination of policy changes, technology advancements, and changing patient preferences have accelerated the adoption of virtual health services.

During the early months of the pandemic in 2020, many healthcare providers quickly transitioned to telehealth as a means of continuing care while minimizing in-person contact. Government policies also played a major role in boosting telehealth adoption. For example, Medicare began temporarily reimbursing providers for telehealth services at the same rates as in-person visits. With access and reimbursement no longer major barriers, telehealth utilization skyrocketed. It's estimated that the number of telehealth visits in the U.S. increased over 4,000% between April and June of 2020.

Virtual Care Options Expand

As telehealth becomes more mainstream, the types of virtual health services available continue to diversify. Traditional video and audio calls between patients and providers remain common. However, more advanced technologies allow for additional care delivery models. For example, remote patient monitoring utilizes digital tools like wearable devices and mobile apps to collect health data like blood pressure, blood sugar levels, and more from patients at home. This information can then be reviewed by clinicians.

Virtual health service models have also expanded from traditional office visits to include specialty consultations, behavioral health services, nutrition counseling, and chronic disease management. Tele-ICU programs allow critical care doctors and nurses to remotely monitor patients in intensive care units around the clock. Virtual reality and augmented reality are showing promise for applications like mental health therapy, surgical training simulations, and more immersive health education experiences.

Convenience and Cost Benefits

Beyond the accessibility advantages during a pandemic, telehealth provides ongoing convenience and reduces logistical barriers for patients. They can receive care in the comfort of their own homes without needing to take time off work or arrange transportation. This is particularly valuable for individuals managing chronic conditions, disabled patients, or those in remote areas far from healthcare facilities.

Telehealth also results in lower costs compared to in-person care. The average telemedicine visit was found to cost $79, while an office visit averages $146 according to FAIR Health. Virtual care reduces indirect costs from travel, waiting rooms, and lost work productivity too. Health systems benefit as well through improved efficiencies and the ability to expand service areas. Remote monitoring programs in particular have demonstrated cost savings through reduced need for expensive hospitalizations and emergency room visits.

Integrated with In-Person Care

Rather than a complete replacement for in-person visits, telehealth is increasingly viewed as an important complement to conventional healthcare delivery. Not all clinical scenarios are suitable for virtual-only care, so the ideal model appears to be a blended approach. Telenursing or virtual check-ins could help monitor stable patients regularly while reserving office appointments for those requiring physical exams or complex procedures.

We're also seeing greater integration of telehealth within traditional care settings. For example, hospitals and clinics may incorporate virtual rounding, remote consultations between clinicians, and use of virtual sitting services like interpreters directly from waiting rooms. Deloitte predicts that by 2025, half of all healthcare interactions in the U.S. will take place online through a combination of telehealth appointments, remote monitoring programs, digital patient engagement, and AI-enabled triage tools.

Continued Innovation

Though slowed by pandemic-related disruptions, industry investment in telehealth technology and startups remains strong. There is still much potential for streamlining workflows, improving interfaces, and expanding virtual care’s clinical capabilities through emerging areas like AI, AR/VR, IoT devices, and 5G networks. Remote diagnostics using computer vision, digital stethoscopes, and “tele-auscultation” of patient sounds are one promising application.

In Summary, regulatory changes are also expected this year aimed at permanently expanding access and coverage of telehealth services through government programs and private insurers. Making virtual care options more consistent across state lines could further stimulate innovation. Overall, the rapid acceleration of telehealth adoption brought on by COVID-19 has set the stage for its incorporation as a vital part of mainstream healthcare delivery long into the future.