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Three emerging telehealth trends
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Ten thousand apps. Finding a therapist is tough these days, so it’s not surprising that many are turning to mental-health apps to help with everything from anxiety to insomnia. However, choosing the right one may be tricky. More than 10,000 mental-health apps were on the market as of 2017, according to one estimate. Experts recommend looking for programs that teach skills (for example, belly breathing). They also say to find out how the app stores and shares data, and to make sure you’re comfortable with what type of info is collected. [NYT] |
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Tapping into telehealth. Done well, telehealth can boost patient health, trim costs, and make it easier for those who live in areas with too few health providers to gain access to care. Through digital platforms, telemedicine can enable patients to connect to the best doctors even if they practice hundreds of miles away. Virtual healthcare can also prevent avoidable ER trips. One 2019 study found that ER services for nonemergency, treatable conditions can cost 12 times more than visiting a doctor’s office, a difference of $32 billion each year. [HBR] |
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Divided on digital health. Doctors and patients aren’t on the same page about telehealth. Although 60% of patients agree that virtual health is more convenient for them than in-person care, only 36% of doctors say the same, reveals 2020 and 2021 McKinsey surveys of physicians and consumers. Physician belief in telehealth’s effectiveness has declined since July 2020. More doctors are also recommending in-person care when possible to their patients, even when they offer telehealth. This may suggest physicians are rethinking virtual care. |
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Three trends. Meanwhile, patients remain keen on virtual care. Those under the age of 55, in higher income brackets, and with individual or employer-sponsored group insurance are more likely to use telehealth, reveals a March 2021 McKinsey Consumer Survey. Demand for virtual care in mental and behavioral health is also higher than in other specialties, with 62% of mental-health patients completing their most recent visit virtually versus 20% of patients doing so for a primary-care provider. See three trends in telehealth that could color the next few years.
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| — Edited by Belinda Yu |
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