Currently, one in five patients prefers a video consultation over a physical doctor appointment. Telehealth is advancing and its growth curve is only rising. In 2019, the global Telehealth market stood at USD 61.40 billion and is projected to reach USD 559.52 billion by 2027. It is becoming a lucrative investment choice considering its estimated CAGR of 25.2%. Numbers aside, the whole idea of Telehealth is benefitting not only patients but also healthcare providers and doctors.

Telehealth has effortlessly become intricate to our lives. Though the term might sound alien to a few,most of us would have used at least once in our life it is a familiar practice to almost everyone. Have you ever experienced some discomfort and quickly grabbed a mobile or laptop and plugged in your symptoms and waited in anticipation for the internet to give you a diagnosis? Then, you know what I am talking about. This is the most basic form of Telehealth.

Telehealth is the confluence of technology and healthcare. AI is already doing its part in making Telemedicine more personal. Its dynamic algorithms can to designed to adapt to a particular health issue and consequently alter the questions put forth before a patient to obtain the necessary medical history of the patient. Telemedicine was once considered to be a subset of Telehealth; however, they are now being used synonymously.

It helps bring hospital care and expert advice right to the doorstep of a patient. It is just the right kind of medical aid that people of this age seek – Accessible from anywhere, at anytime, and is cost-effective. Studies show that many people leave their symptoms untreated because they are either too busy, or its too costly, or it takes too much time. Telehealth is the one-stop solution to all these and other such difficulties.

One main pain point that Telehealth addresses is the increasing retiring population. The world right now is witnessing a huge demographic shift. Consequently, the population being taxed is dwindling in comparison to the population set to receive retirement benefits. Considering their need for healthcare and also their inability to journey to a far-off physical facility, this issue raises various healthcare challenges. Also, to be able to serve a large group of 65 years and older patients, healthcare must be cost-effective and immediate, to fit the cases of emergencies and prolonged illnesses.

Many experts share that, with the advent of Telehealth they could reinvigorate their purpose and passion for the field of medicine which was snuffed out by a grueling shift-based, sleep-depriving work life. Doctors admit that they finally feel like they are caring and more dedicated to their patients rather than treating them with indifference while being too consumed with the process.

Not to ignore the elephant in the room, but it has somehow become a reason behind everything these days. The pandemic has significantly contributed to the upsurge of Telehealth applications. It became the standard for consultation as it promoted the practice of social distancing to impede the contagiousness of the virus. Telehealth’s remote capabilities helped serve millions of patients during these dire times. 

It is a reliable resource for both when matters are too trivial to take time out of a busy day and when one is unable to travel a long distance to avail healthcare. The applications of Telehealth are all easy to adapt to. They come as everyday mobile apps or computer software. However, some part of it requires us to be aware of our bodies. If you fail to provide a proper report about the illness you are facing, the diagnosis might alter substantially reducing its effectiveness. 

For the many benefits mentioned above and its many dynamic utilities, Telehealth is inevitably a force that is transforming how we approach healthcare. It not only makes it easy to receive healthcare but also helps in achieving global initiatives like ‘Healthcare for all’ by breaching distances and reaching remote areas. Its few downsides will sure be resolved by upcoming advances in technology and policies by federations making it a reliable, efficient, and holistic provider for Healthcare.