What to expect in Telehealth in 2024?
Approximately 25% of patients embraced telehealth in the past year, a significant increase from the pre-pandemic 5%. With telehealth continuing to evolve in the coming years, this trend is expected to persist and even escalate in the coming years.
Telehealth Immersion Program insights
In a webinar organized by the American Medical Association Telehealth Immersion Program, insights were provided into the evolution of telehealth in 2022 and its trajectory in 2023. While telehealth usage surged to 70% in 2020, the U.S. healthcare system struggled to adapt to this sudden influx.
According to Dr. Eyal Zimlichman, Chief Innovation and Transformation Officer at Sheba Medical Center, the evolution of telehealth will be gradual rather than a revolution in the healthcare sector. It is expected that within the next five years, the current rate of usage of 20% to 25% will naturally increase, reaching a level of 50% to 70% throughout the period of the next five years. The journey involves improving usability and fostering a cultural shift towards virtual care.
Predictions for 2024
Expert predictions for telehealth in 2024 highlight a variety of trends and innovations that are set to shape the future of healthcare delivery.
Expansion of asynchronous Telehealth
There’s a notable shift towards more hybrid virtual care and asynchronous telemedicine, providing patients with care options for a wide range of common, low-acuity conditions without the need for real-time interaction with clinicians
Regulatory changes and partnerships
Healthcare providers are expected to navigate changing regulatory environments and leverage partnerships to create comprehensive at-home care programs. This includes adapting to potential legislative and regulatory actions that could significantly shape healthcare delivery, especially for populations requiring continuous medical care
Generative AI and machine learning in Telehealth
The use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in telehealth is predicted to grow, enhancing the capabilities for remote patient monitoring, personalized treatment plans, and early disease diagnosis. This technological advancement aims to reduce operational costs for healthcare providers by as much as 30%.
Telehealth beyond primary care
The scope of virtual care is expanding beyond primary care to include specialty providers. This is expected to decrease waiting times and help manage chronic care patients more efficiently, thereby supporting health systems in offering timely and quality care.
Home healthcare and inpatient oversight via Telehealth
An increased focus on home healthcare and the use of telehealth for inpatient oversight is anticipated. This includes modern-day healthcare house calls and digital health investments to enable better collaboration among care teams and efficient care delivery
Digital Health Tools
Digital health tools are anticipated to play a pivotal role in chronic disease management, moving beyond traditional pharmaceutical approaches. Wearable technology, sensors, chat boxes, and symptom-management tools are expected to contribute to managing chronic illnesses, addressing a significant portion of healthcare costs and morbidity and mortality.
Government funding and regulatory considerations will remain pivotal in the telehealth landscape. Providing adequate compensation for healthcare providers is essential to ensuring the growth of telehealth services. Expect increased attention to regulatory issues such as licensing and cross-state patient treatment, reflecting the need for a supportive regulatory environment.
Capitalizing on Innovation. Investors’ Role
Investors are poised to allocate substantial capital to healthcare, with a particular focus on digital health solutions. Companies in the healthcare sector, equipped with substantial reserves, are likely to channel more capital towards innovators in virtual care and digital health solutions.
The Journey of Telehealth. A Gradual Evolution
Experts in the field of telehealth and digital health are predicting a gradual evolution in the way telehealth is integrated into healthcare systems, rather than an abrupt revolution. The consensus points towards a slow but steady increase in the usage of telehealth services, underpinned by significant improvements in usability and a growing cultural acceptance among both healthcare professionals and patients.
Policy Considerations and Capital Investments
Key policy considerations, such as government funding and regulatory issues, are expected to shape the telehealth landscape. The importance of proper compensation for healthcare providers and addressing regulatory challenges, including licensing and treating patients across state lines, will be in the spotlight in 2024.
Additionally, a surge in capital investment is anticipated in the digital healthcare sector. With investors ready to deploy capital, innovators in virtual care and digital health solutions are poised to receive increased financial support. The evolving telehealth landscape continues to demonstrate its potential to reshape the future of healthcare delivery.
