21 Telehealth Statistics & Telemedicine Trends

Key Telehealth Statistics

Telehealth has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It allows patients to receive medical care from the comfort of their own homes, which has been especially important during times of social distancing.

Here are some telehealth statistics that highlight the impact of telehealth on the healthcare industry:

Important Telehealth Statistics To Be Aware Of

1. The use of virtual care is 38 times higher than before the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. According to a report by McKinsey, telehealth visits accounted for 20% of all medical visits in the United States in April 2020, up from just 1% in March 2020.
3. Patients are highly satisfied with telehealth. A survey by the American Medical Association found that 83% of patients who had a telehealth visit were satisfied with the experience.
4. Telehealth can save patients time and money. A study by Health Affairs found that telehealth visits cost an average of $79, compared to $146 for in-person visits. Additionally, patients saved an average of 51 minutes of travel time and 88 minutes of total time per visit.
5. Telehealth can improve access to care in rural areas. A study by the University of Iowa found that telehealth visits reduced travel time for rural patients by an average of 2.4 hours per visit.
6. Telehealth can improve patient outcomes. A study by the University of Rochester Medical Center found that telehealth visits for heart failure patients reduced hospital readmissions by 50%.
7. Telehealth can reduce healthcare costs. A report by the National Business Group on Health found that telehealth can save employers up to $6 billion per year in healthcare costs.
8. Telehealth can increase patient engagement. A study by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that patients who had telehealth visits were more likely to follow up with their care plan than those who had in-person visits.
9. Telehealth can improve mental health outcomes. A study by the University of California, San Francisco found that telehealth visits for depression were just as effective as in-person visits.
10. Telehealth can improve medication adherence. A study by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center found that patients who had telehealth visits were more likely to take their medication as prescribed than those who had in-person visits.
11. Telehealth is here to stay. A survey by the American Medical Association found that 80% of physicians plan to continue using telehealth after the pandemic ends.
12. Telehealth usage has increased across all age groups. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), telehealth visits increased by 50% among adults aged 18-49 and 70% among adults aged 50-64 from March to May 2020.
13. Telemedicine can improve access to mental health care for underserved populations. A study by the University of Michigan found that telepsychiatry reduced wait times for appointments and increased access to care for low-income individuals.
14. Telemedicine can reduce emergency room visits. A study by the University of California, Los Angeles found that telemedicine consultations led to a 67% reduction in emergency department visits.
15. Telemedicine can improve continuity of care. A study by the University of Virginia Health System found that telemedicine allowed patients with chronic conditions to receive regular check-ins with their healthcare providers, leading to better management of their conditions.
16. Patients are more likely to attend follow-up appointments after a telehealth visit. A survey by Doctor.com found that patients who had a virtual visit were twice as likely to attend follow-up appointments than those who had an in-person visit.
17. The use of remote monitoring devices has increased alongside telehealth visits, allowing healthcare providers to track patient vitals and symptoms from afar.
18. Telehealth is particularly beneficial for patients with disabilities or mobility issues who may have difficulty traveling to in-person appointments.
19. The global telemedicine market is expected to reach $185 billion by 2026, according to a report by Fortune Business Insights.
20. Telemedicine consultations have been shown to be effective for managing chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, according to a review article published in JAMA Internal Medicine.
21. Remote patient monitoring devices can reduce hospital readmissions and emergency department visits for patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.

General Telehealth Statistics & Facts

FAQs

How much does telehealth cost?

According to recent telehealth statistics, $1 to $30 in out-of-pocket fees were paid by 62% of the respondents in a survey for every telehealth visit they had, on average.

How many people currently use telehealth?

New telehealth trends show that telehealth was used by between 13% to 17% of American patients when visiting clinics, hospitals, therapy centers, and other related localities in the medical field in 2021.

How long is the average telehealth visit?

The length of the average telehealth visit is between 13 and 15 minutes, according to recent telehealth industry statistics.

Conclusion

In conclusion, telehealth statistics show that it has had a significant impact on the healthcare industry, and its benefits are clear. As technology continues to improve, it is likely that telehealth will become even more widespread and accessible to patients.

References

1. https://www.aha.org/factsheet/telehealth
2. https://hbr.org/2022/05/the-telehealth-era-is-just-beginning
3. https://aspe.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/documents/4e1853c0b4885112b2994680a58af9ed/telehealth-hps-ib.pdf
4. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/databriefs/db445.htm