Telehealth is not a new phenomenon. It is an innovative healthcare delivery service that connects patients to medical workers via videoconferences or other wireless communication. The technology was first used in the early 1960s, when the Nebraska Psychiatric Institute and Norfolk State Hospital were linked via a closed-circuit television link, ushering in the era of telepsychiatry. 

Consumer adoption of telehealth has skyrocketed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The global telemedicine market was valued at 70.12 billion US dollars in 2021, and it is expected to reach 233.49 billion US dollars by 2028, according to a SkyQuest Technology report. Telehealth is rapidly evolving as a powerful tool for increasing the availability and quality of medical care.

Let's find out what the future holds for telehealth and what drives its success.

Telehealth Development Barriers

At the same time, telehealth usage has some obstacles.

People prefer in-person meetings

Despite an increase in telehealth appointments during the COVID-19 outbreak, utilization has since declined. People simply abandoned their "online" lives in favor of in-person meetings. By mid-2020, 52% of healthcare visits were virtual, but this figure had dropped to 11%. We cannot help but notice that, while the percentage has decreased significantly, it remains significantly higher than before the pandemic.

According to the American Psychiatric Association, 43% of adults want to continue using telehealth solutions after the pandemic, and 34% prefer telehealth to a face-to-face visit.

Telehealth is not distributed evenly

Many rural areas, particularly in developing countries, do not have access to telehealth, which was designed to provide medical assistance to those living in rural areas. Only about 60% of rural or tribal residents have such access, compared to more than 95% of urban residents. Many rural facilities have struggled to implement telehealth technologies. Furthermore, technology is a barrier to telehealth adoption. Rural populations are less likely to have smartphones and a stable internet connection, both of which are required for receiving telehealth services.



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Technology mistrust

Many people are still skeptical of technological assistance. They find it difficult to believe that machines can meet healthcare demands without visiting physicians in person. In general, the older generation is more conservative when it comes to medical care. According to statistics, 70% of Baby Boomers prefer to have primary care appointments in person. This is markedly different from younger generations. Thus, only 47% of Generation X, 45% of Millennials, and 34% of Generation Z prefer face-to-face visits for primary care.

2022 Telehealth Trends

To avoid costly mistakes when investing in telehealth, we recommend researching the trends that are driving telehealth today and are expected to drive the technology in the future.

Concentrate on mental health

Telehealth is a growing and effective method of providing remote mental health care. Patients and psychologists report that providing care through telehealth tools (primarily video calls) has been critical and often advantageous during the pandemic, even though many clinicians are now seeing patients in person. Convenience, time savings, and the absence of risks are enormous benefits because in-person and virtual sessions are nearly identical (people come to therapy to share emotions).

Improved user experience

Users want a single solution that can meet all of their requirements. The next trend for 2022 is the seamless and integrated app.

You can enhance the user experience by providing comprehensive service via integrated communications such as video, webchat, and bots, as well as allowing for real-time updates, reminders, and follow-up appointments. You can also give patients the ability to access and navigate all of their information with the click of a button. A user-friendly application that meets all of your users' needs will always be in high demand, allowing you to outperform your competitors.

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Monitoring of chronic care

Chronic diseases affect one-third of the world's population, and they continue to be the most common health conditions in the United States: nearly 45% of all Americans have at least one chronic disease, and the number is growing.

Preventive monitoring and regular doctor visits can help prevent exacerbations or even cure chronic diseases in most cases. Telehealth can improve patient involvement and adherence to treatment. Patients can use telemedicine to communicate with their doctors. This will save time, aid in the early detection of problems, and protect patients with compromised immune systems. According to forecasts, demand for chronic disease solutions will increase.

Data sharing integrated

Telehealth solutions should follow suit as new data-sharing systems become faster and more user-friendly. Many telehealth applications are integrating with fitness apps to collect data on physical activity and heart rate directly from a user's mobile phone. This gives medical personnel a clear picture of a patient's lifestyle, which, when combined with electronic health data, helps to produce a more accurate picture of their current health.



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Remote patient monitoring and wearable devices

Wearable devices that provide real-time information about a patient's health, such as smart watches, wristbands, and other devices, are expected to become even more popular. Wearable devices improved the health and quality of life of 86% of healthcare consumers.

Practitioners can make more insightful diagnoses and recommendations when they have all of the necessary data about a typical day in their patients' lives. Given the capacity of wearables and the increasing demand, we can predict an increase in wearable technology and the sharing of data generated by these devices. At the same time, one in every five patients finds wearables difficult to use. The emphasis will be on making technology and platforms more user-friendly and affordable.

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Pediatric treatment

Pediatric telemedicine was already gaining traction before the pandemic, but it is expected to gain even more traction in the coming years. New generations of parents are more trusting of technology than previous generations.

Furthermore, the number of telehealth services geared toward young people is growing (for example, virtual physiotherapy that resembles video games). As a result, telehealth usage for pediatric care is expected to skyrocket in the coming years.