Since the pandemic, telemedicine has continued to remain popular among healthcare organizations. However, every year it evolves to accommodate patient needs and the clinic workflow better. 2022 was no exception to this tendency. Looking back at the year, here are some of the biggest telemedicine trends that were noteworthy in 2022!
Remote Follow-up Care for Neurological Diseases
According to the World Federation of Neurology, about 14% of Americans have a non-communicable neurological disease, and by 2050, that number is estimated to triple. Because of this growing trend in neurological diseases, more follow-up care is being conducted through telemedicine. This prevents patients who have trouble moving or driving due to their condition from having to leave the house as frequently.
Teleconsulting for Elderly Patients
Keeping the elderly away from hospitals or clinics helps decrease their risk of contracting an infection. According to a study, approximately one-third of patients over 70 and over 50% of patients over 85 leave hospitals more disabled than when they arrived. Because of this, teleconsulting has become a popular option among the elderly to receive treatment and diagnosis from the comfort and safety of their own homes.
Virtual Counseling
The World Health Organization reported that in 2020, there was a 25% increase in depression and anxiety during the pandemic, and the number of people who report mental health issues continues to remain high in 2022. As a result, counseling via telemedicine has become a popular option for many mental health patients. Not only does this option prevent the spread of COVID-19, but it has remained popular because it offers more privacy and is more easily accessible for anyone having a mental health crisis.
Telemedicine Growth in Latin America
Massive potential for telemedicine industry expansion has been observed in Latin America. In the beginning of 2020, for example, Colombia’s virtual appointments increased by 7000% compared to pre-pandemic numbers. The amount of telemedicine appointments in that area remains robust because it is a large country with many remote regions that are difficult to access. Since this influx of telemedicine in Colombia, Uruguay and Chile have now been set to become two of the largest providers of telemedicine internationally moving forward.
Insurance-covered Virtual Care
Prominent health insurance companies like United Healthcare and Aetna have started offering virtual primary care plans to patients. This has given insurance holders an affordable, more convenient way to access preventive healthcare easily. The success of telemedicine in recent years has also begun to push some insurers away from the popular fee-for-service model in favor of a more value-based care model. This helps secure telehealth as a staple in the healthcare industry, making it poised for even more growth in years to come.
Telemedicine Trends Toward DocResponse
DocResponse’s telemedicine software has become a popular solution for providers seeking to expand their practice’s offerings. This software is:
- Available for almost every specialty
- Simple for the elderly population to use
- HIPAA-compliant for patient confidentiality
Ready to see why 2022 was a strong year for DocResponse’s telemedicine solution? Schedule a demo to learn more!