Conor Stewart
Research expert covering health & pharmaceuticals in the UK & Europe
Telemedicine - statistics and facts
Telemedicine, often referred to interchangeably with telehealth although the terms are technically different, is the use of telecommunication technology to deliver healthcare services. The technology became vitally important during the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the importance of social distancing and the need to protect the most vulnerable from physically gathering in healthcare settings which necessitated the ability of providers to provide virtual visits and check-ups. Although, before the arrival of COVID-19, the technology was already used sporadically, the pandemic accelerated the industry significantly. As well as the impact of the crisis, other factors fostering growth are higher traditional healthcare costs and increased investment in telemedicine software. Surveys now show that patients have become accustomed to the convenience that telemedicine has brought to their lives, especially for non-urgent consultations. While it also brings benefits to physicians and other healthcare professionals.
How is telemedicine used?
In 2024, there were over 116 million users of online doctor consultations worldwide, up from around 57 million in 2019. The number of users of telemedicine is forecast to continue to increase in the coming years, but more steadily compared to the huge increases observed in 2020 and 2021. In a country such as the United States, telehealth capabilities are widespread across a wide range of specialties and are not specific to general practices. The most common uses for telemedicine in the U.S. were for simple issues such as prescription refills and minor illnesses. In fact, it was found that more people would rather receive this type of care virtually than would prefer it carried out in person. Around a third of Americans said they would prefer appointments for mental health and chronic conditions virtually.Reported benefits and the future
For telemedicine to remain a growing trend in healthcare it had to be well-received by patients. Since 2021 in developed countries, there has been a high acceptance and satisfaction rate. Almost nine in ten patients in the U.S. reported that telemedicine has made it easier to get the care they need. Time-savings have been the most widely reported benefit of using telemedicine, although cost-savings also make a difference to consumers. No time is needed to travel to an appointment, and no time is lost in waiting rooms. Furthermore, the costs of traveling to an appointment or ensuring childcare are also not required. However, a challenge remains to enable the benefits of telemedicine to be enjoyed across all age groups. Older populations tend to be in much more contact with healthcare services but also tend to be less tech-savvy or have lower access to internet-connected devices. How these obstacles are tackled will be crucial for people who arguably have the most to gain from telemedicine.
