Has virtual healthcare lived up to its pandemic promises?
Has Virtual Healthcare Succeeded Post-Pandemic?
The Current State of Virtual Health
In 2020, virtual healthcare boomed amid COVID-19 restrictions. However, as in-person care resumed, its utilization has significantly declined across demographics.
Following this drop, investment in digital health technologies has slowed, with a growing skepticism about the value and efficacy of these tools.
Caroline Pearson, PHTI Executive Director: "We see a real skepticism or pullback in the market that requires, I think, a new approach."
Virtual Healthcare Successes
Mental and Behavioral Healthcare
Virtual healthcare has revolutionized mental and behavioral healthcare, with a significant increase in telehealth visits and even some clinicians adopting virtual-only practices.
Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, Brown University: "We see that a large fraction of our mental health ... just roughly half of visits in the United States are provided via video or phone visit."
Telebehavioral health has also remained popular, particularly for substance use disorders.
Remote Patient Monitoring (RPM)
RPM has been effective in enhancing chronic disease management, leading to better outcomes and patient experiences.
David Strickland, Vice President, Kaiser Permanente: "Ongoing feedback on a patient's health status to the care team has led to superior outcomes and a better patient experience."
Digital Health Solutions for Musculoskeletal Care
Digital health tools for musculoskeletal disorders have shown promising results in shifting physical therapy to more accessible settings.
Caroline Pearson, PHTI Executive Director: "PT is very well proven [but] it is underutilized today. By making it more convenient and accessible, we've seen that it can really deliver high healthcare benefits."
Virtual Physician Extenders and Tech-Enabled Services
Virtual healthcare has extended the workforce by providing remote patient monitoring and partnering with providers in various specialties, including emergency medicine.
Challenges for Virtual Healthcare
Despite these successes, several efforts to digitize care have faltered.
Surgical and medical specialists have seen some of the steepest drop-offs in telehealth use. RPM and behavior change tools for diabetes and hypertension have also failed to provide meaningful clinical benefits.
Dr. Ateev Mehrotra, Brown University: "It's really about having digital solutions fully integrated into care plans, not being sprinkled like pixie dust on top and hoping they're going to make things better."
Other challenges include turbulent digital therapeutics markets, ineffective reimbursement models, and the need for further advancements in generative AI (GenAI) for asynchronous telehealth.
The Future of Virtual Healthcare
Virtual Inpatient Care
Virtual care is expected to make significant strides in inpatient settings, with telehealth tools, sensor-based devices, and virtual nursing becoming more prevalent.
GenAI and Evidence-Based Practices
GenAI is expected to play a role in easing the burden of asynchronous telehealth, but further refinement is needed.
Clinical evidence and solid marketing based on proven outcomes will be key for digital health developers.
Telehealth Legislation and Provider Strategy
While telehealth flexibilities have been extended through March 2025, persistent uncertainty about future reimbursement is a concern.
Providers need to educate patients and experiment with new technologies while maintaining a healthy skepticism and focus.
Eve Cunningham, M.D., Chief of Virtual Care, Providence: "You can't boil the ocean, so you're going to need to focus."
David Strickland, Vice President, Kaiser Permanente: "Integrated virtual care can reduce costs for patients and assure greater quality and safety."
Despite challenges, virtual care delivery remains an integral part of the healthcare system, with the promise of reducing costs and improving access.