The COVID-19 pandemic has drastically changed the healthcare industry, giving rise to telehealth, which has revolutionized our approach to healthcare. According to data from USA Facts, the use of telehealth among Medicare recipients increased during the pandemic from 5 million to more than 53 million, and 80% of physicians plan to continue using it. This shift indicates that what was initially implemented as a preventive measure to stop the spread of COVID-19 has now become mainstream through technology. As a result, healthcare organizations are making strides in the telehealth field by assessing its impact on patient care and developing a more strategic approach to virtual care. 

In this blog, we will outline the top trends in the telehealth industry and explore how they can significantly benefit healthcare organizations.  

To begin with, let’s understand telehealth and its benefits. 

What is Telehealth? 

Telehealth is a process that allows patients to access healthcare providers without an in-person office visit. It also provides access to specialists who may be located too far away for in-person consultations. This involves digital communication between the patient and healthcare provider through phone calls, video calls, emails, or data exchanges via a portal. Telehealth is particularly suitable for consultations, follow-up visits, and common ailments. However, it is less favorable for conditions that require a physical examination.  

Benefits of Telehealth 

Post-pandemic, many healthcare organizations have increasingly adopted telehealth due to the various benefits it offers, which are as follows: 

Increased Access: The biggest advantage of telehealth is that it offers increased access to healthcare services for patients. This specifically addresses challenges related to geographical barriers and physician shortages. It also helps people living in rural or underserved areas access specialists and other advanced healthcare services. 

Convenience: Another benefit of telehealth is that it allows patients to consult with doctors from the comfort of their homes, eliminating the need to travel and wait in long queues. 

Cost-effectiveness: Telehealth enables the treatment of more patients with fewer staff, helping to reduce overall staffing costs, which are typically higher for in-person care. 

Reduces Infection Risk: Telehealth facilitates contactless consultations and helps to avoid overcrowding in hospital waiting rooms, thereby reducing the chances of spreading infections. 

24/7 Availability: For emergency cases and babies, patients can contact doctors for consultation even at odd hours.  

Support for Patients with Chronic Conditions: Telehealth is a boon for patients with chronic conditions, as at-home monitoring systems can send readings to medical professionals and signal if there is an emergency or if health conditions worsen. This can help medical professionals intervene in a timely manner. 

Emergency Psychiatric Consultation: In cases of psychiatric emergencies and for patients with a tendency toward self-harm, telehealth allows for quick consultations with psychiatrists. 

Now that we know about telehealth and its benefits, let’s explore the trends in telehealth.  

Top 6 Trends in Telehealth 

1. Generative AI: Generative AI is increasingly becoming a trend in telehealth by analyzing patient data to create customized care plans, examining data from wearable devices and remote monitoring tools to generate insights about patients’ health, and assisting healthcare providers by generating recommendations based on patient health data, among other applications. 

2. Virtual Assistants and Healthcare Chatbots: Nowadays, AI-powered virtual assistants and chatbots are gaining traction, providing 24/7 online assistance to patients. These chatbots play a crucial role in addressing patient queries and health concerns during situations where human medical assistants are inaccessible.   

3. Mobile Apps and Wearables: Mobile apps and wearables for remote health monitoring are becoming more popular nowadays. These apps sync with wearables such as fitness trackers, pulse oximeters, and more to analyze various health metrics such as pulse, body temperature, and blood pressure.  This synchronization enables patients to actively monitor their health conditions.   

4. Virtual Wards in Hospital Powered by IoT: Virtual hospital wards powered by IoT (Internet of Things) represent a transformative approach to healthcare delivery. They leverage connected devices and data analytics to provide remote monitoring, consultations, and real-time health data tracking. These hospital wards allow healthcare providers to continuously assess vital signs and health metrics, facilitating timely interventions and personalized treatment plans. Patients in remote areas especially benefit from increased access to healthcare. 

5. Expansion of Services: Telehealth is expanding way beyond primary care to treat chronic diseases, mental illness, dermatology, and many more. 

6. Hybrid Models: Many healthcare organizations are adopting hybrid healthcare models that combine in-person visits with telehealth services for a more flexible and comprehensive approach to patient care. This model identifies the different modalities for different health needs.  

Conclusion 

In conclusion, telehealth has emerged in the healthcare landscape since the COVID-19 pandemic as a future of healthcare. Telehealth is revolutionizing the healthcare industry, with benefits such as increased access, convenience, cost-effectiveness, and reduced spread of infections. 

With trends shaping the telehealth industry, including integrating generative AI, AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants, remote monitoring apps, IoT-enabled virtual wards, and adoption of hybrid models, telehealth is making the healthcare industry more personalized, efficient, and accessible than ever.  

Looking ahead, the potential for telehealth to redefine patient care is immense. As we integrate innovative technologies and expand service offerings, the healthcare industry is poised to deliver care that is not only more responsive but also more equitable. The ongoing evolution of telehealth presents an exciting opportunity to address long-standing challenges in healthcare, ensuring that quality care is accessible to all, regardless of location or circumstance.  

If you’re a healthcare provider searching for a tailored AI solution for your organization, we are here to help. Contact us to discuss how we can develop a custom AI tool to meet your needs and enhance your operations.