Telemedicine, the use of telecommunication technologies to provide medical care at a distance, has been around for several decades but has lately gained a new prominence due to the COVID-19 pandemic. One form of telemedicine that has seen a massive surge in adoption is video telemedicine, commonly referred to as telehealth or teleconsultation. This article explores the rise of video telemedicine and its potential to transform healthcare delivery.

The Need for Remote Healthcare

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for safe, remote healthcare options that allow physicians and patients to connect without an in-person visit. As the virus spread rapidly last year, there was a concern about overcrowding medical facilities and exposing at-risk patients. Video telemedicine provided an alternative that allowed many routine visits and follow-ups to continue safely from the patient's home. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of telehealth out of medical necessity, but it has proven to be a convenient care option for patients long after the peak of the crisis has passed.

Uptake of Telehealth Skyrockets

Prior to the pandemic, telehealth was still a relatively niche part of the healthcare system. However, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data found that telehealth use jumped from 8% pre-pandemic to over 38% during the early part of the crisis in 2020. Private insurers and government programs relaxed regulations to encourage remote care, and healthcare providers rapidly implemented virtual care options to continue serving patients. Overnight, telehealth became a mainstream part of care delivery with tens of millions of Americans receiving remote care through audio and video technologies. Even as pandemic restrictions have eased, early research shows two-thirds of patients want telemedicine to remain an option long-term.

Widespread Platform Adoption

To meet the increased demand for virtual visits, healthcare providers across the U.S. adopted telemedicine platforms that enabled secure video and audio communication between doctors, nurses and patients. Companies like CareRev, Doxy.me and Amwell experienced huge growth as their virtual care solutions were implemented nationwide. Health systems integrated telehealth capabilities through platforms like Epic's MyChart and Cerner's telehealth module. Meanwhile, telemedicine device companies stepped up to provide kiosks, monitors and carts outfitted with cameras and microphones so doctors could easily conduct mobile telehealth visits from exam rooms or nurses’ stations. Today, virtually every major hospital and medical group in the country uses some form of telehealth technology.

Benefits for Providers and Patients

Both patients and providers have seen advantages to telemedicine versus in-person visits alone. For patients, virtual healthcare offers convenience by eliminating travel time and costs for routine visits. It also gives people in remote areas improved access to specialists. Doctors appreciate telehealth for reducing patient no-shows and its potential to easily triage and treat minor issues without in-office space. The ability to connect via video from their smartphone or computer gives patients a level of convenience that has boosted treatment adherence and satisfaction with care overall according to early studies. For healthcare providers, virtual visits allow for seeing more patients via telehealth in addition to traditional appointments to improve capacity and satisfaction rates.

Expanding Scope of Telehealth Services

Initially, telehealth was limited to certain basic uses like follow-ups for non-acute issues, prescription renewals or behavioral health counseling. However, as the capabilities of new platforms have grown, doctors are leveraging telemedicine in more advanced ways. For instance, some are using mobile carts with examination tools like stethoscopes, otoscopes and dermatoscopes attached so they can remotely examine patients over video. Other upcoming uses include remote monitoring for chronic conditions through connected devices, specialty telehealth visits through multidisciplinary virtual clinics and even telehealth-enabled home visits. Ultimately, many experts believe telemedicine provides an opportunity to transform into a comprehensive virtual care model that enhances access to a wide range of medical services.

Prioritizing Telehealth Adoption

While usage skyrocketed out of public health necessity during COVID-19, many questions remain about long-term policy and reimbursement for telehealth. To ensure telemedicine remains a sustainable part of the system, there are bipartisan calls for continued priority on removing regulatory barriers, clarifying provider licensure rules across state lines and dedicating funding to expand access for vulnerable populations. The recent experience proved virtual healthcare can deliver substantial value, convenience and cost-savings when widely utilized. Policymakers at all levels are now focused on permanently removing barriers to enable telehealth adoption while still maintaining oversight to preserve patient safety and outcomes. As technology rapidly evolves, safeguarding access to virtual care will be crucial to healthcare’s future.

With telehealth emerging as a vital tool for expanding access, improving quality and curbing costs, there is little doubt virtual care is here to stay. The COVID-19 pandemic served as an unplanned but invaluable proof of concept to demonstrate the viability and patient appeal of telemedicine on a broad scale. Going forward, healthcare systems will seek to thoughtfully integrate telehealth into routine procedures wherever clinically appropriate, maximizing its benefits while addressing any emerging challenges. As both patients and providers now have a better understanding of telehealth’s potential, video visits and virtual care delivery is set to play an increasingly prominent role in transforming healthcare delivery for years to come.

In summary, the COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the convenience and necessity of video telemedicine, driving unprecedented adoption across the healthcare system. While questions remain regarding long term policy and funding, the evidence so far suggests telehealth offers worthwhile benefits if integrated carefully. With supportive policies and continued innovation, telemedicine using video and virtual technology promises to meaningfully enhance access, quality and affordability for both patients and providers alike.