The COVID-19 pandemic changed a lot of things. It changed the way we work, live, communicate and even our health. As nations continue to battle the virus, social distancing and quarantine norms will remain a part of our culture for the foreseeable future. As a result, plenty of businesses have suffered. However, there is one category – health, and in particular online doctor teleconsultations – that has managed to rise.
The pandemic has seen an acceleration in the adoption of online doctor teleconsultations, and it is a trend we should all care about. Whether you are a patient, healthcare provider or even employer, you need to know all about this trend. It matters.
What are Doctor Teleconsultations?
First, let’s understand the term. Doctor teleconsultations are also called telemedicine, virtual consultations, telehealth or digital consultations. They all mean the same thing: consulting with a doctor through a virtual medium. Patients and doctors can connect with each other over text, voice call or even video call.
Until about a decade ago, such services were limited to large hospitals. Apollo, for example, has been running Apollo TeleHealth for over 20 years. Due to limited internet access, such services were often reserved for the rich with high-speed internet. However, things have quickly changed. Now, most Indians have a smartphone and high-speed mobile data. That has resulted in a large number of HealthTech startups emerge, who provide online doctor teleconsultations.
In March 2020, the Medical Council of India in partnership with NITI Ayog launched “Telemedicine Practice Guidelines” for India. These guidelines not only legalised the practice, but also help doctors and services ensure that they provide standardised care, across platforms and the country. Not only did it help legalise the practice, but also push it as a safe and viable option to combat the pandemic.
Why Are Teleconsultations on the Rise?
The digital-first approach teleconsultations bring has made them a viable alternative during the pandemic. Since people have to maintain social distancing, and avoid exposing themselves, visiting the hospital became a risky thing to do. Even though it was an essential reason, it was still filled with risk. Yet, thousands of us continued to visit the hospital because we thought we didn’t have a better way.
That’s where online doctor teleconsultation services come in. Through the power of social media and word of mouth, they presented themselves as safe and reliable alternatives. As a result of that, plenty of people jumped on board.
There are four main factors behind this boom:
Ease of Use: Online Doctor teleconsultation apps like Lybrate and Practo are easy to use. Users can quickly and easily find a professional for the issue they have. It takes less than two minutes, and can be done right on the phone. User friendliness is very important for these apps, allowing most people to use it even with limited levels of digital literacy.
Access to More Options: By using telemedicine services, patients have access to a wide range of options. By nature, these services allow people to access experts all over the country. Now, location is no longer a barrier. It allows patients to talk to more experienced or qualified experts than they might have in their city.
Cost Factor: Since many online doctor teleconsultations are provided by healthTech startups, they tend to offer low-cost consultations with a subscription model. That matters, since most health insurance plans don’t cover out-patient consultation fees, which can really add up. Since they help people save, they are naturally a more attractive option.
Convenience Built in: Online doctor teleconsultation apps allow patients to talk to doctors when they want, where they want. There’s no waiting in a line, no need to search for parking or hire a cab and no need to take time off from work. Patients can instantly get the medical advice they need, whether they are at home, on vacation, or even at work.
A Big Future
The above four factors aren’t the only ones, but they are key for driving the growth of online doctor consultations. With no end in sight for the COVID-19 pandemic, the boom in these services is only expected to continue. According to BioWorld “the market for teleconsultations in India is expected to grow from $100 million to $700 million over the next five years, marking annual growth of 48%.”
As more people get online, these services will only increase in popularity. There have been questions around the longevity of such services, particularly if we do get vaccinated and are able to go around without having to socially distance. But, that’s a very narrow view.
It is very clear that online doctor teleconsultations are here to stay for four reasons:
And since a majority of Gen Z and millennials prefer digital alternatives, it is very likely that they will drive the demand forward. Of course, that doesn’t mean the end of hospitals. Physical interactions with doctors do have a place, even in this hyper-digital world. No amount of technology can replace or substitute the physical touch. But thanks to telemedicine services, the bar is now very high.
It is likely that teleconsultations will become the first point of contact for many with doctors, with physical visits being step 2. As more companies incorporate AI, machine learning and big data, these services will become better at connecting patients to the right doctors, no matter where they are.
Why Should I Care?
If you are a patient, you should be using online doctor teleconsultation services if you aren’t already. They are very safe, and as reliable as a physical trip to the doctor. If you are a healthcare provider, you need to start thinking about incorporating such services. Whether you are a small clinic, hospital or a doctor with an independent practice, getting online is the best thing you can do now.
Not only do you get access to a larger number of patients, but you can also quickly and easily make your presence felt. That’s because most telehealth services offer a rating system, like Amazon. The better your rating, the more popular you will become. It is free advertising that you can access without putting in any effort.
If you are an employer, you need to care too. Employee healthcare benefits are an absolute must in 2021 and beyond. Offering your employees access to online doctor teleconsultations is not only a great perk to have, but a must have. That’s because healthcare is a major concern for employees today.
Healthcare benefits like doctor teleconsultations can help build a healthier, happier and more productive workforce. Everyone benefits, so there’s no reason to not offer it. You can do so through access to Onsurity’s employee healthcare plans. Onsurity offers benefits like telemedicine, built straight into the app. It’s employee healthcare for the 21st century.
