In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic sparked a 78% uptick in telehealth usage. As we look to the future, telehealth is poised to become an integral part of healthcare delivery.
This article explores the exciting innovations and trends that will shape the future of telehealth, promising to enhance patient care, improve accessibility, and streamline healthcare operations.
To understand the future of telehealth, we first need to look at the new technologies that are changing how we provide care.
Contents
Emerging Technologies in Telehealth
The future of telehealth is closely tied to advancements in technology. Several cutting-edge innovations are set to reshape virtual care in the coming years.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning in diagnostics
AI and machine learning (ML) can analyze large amounts of medical data to assist healthcare providers in making more accurate diagnoses and treatment recommendations.
For example, AI-powered diagnostic tools can examine medical images like X-rays or MRIs and flag potential issues for review by human doctors.
AI chatbots are also being developed to conduct initial patient screenings and triage. These chatbots can ask patients about their symptoms and medical history, then direct them to appropriate care options whether that’s a virtual doctor visit, in-person visit, or emergency services.
Internet of Medical Things for remote patient monitoring
The Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) refers to connected medical devices and applications that can collect and transmit health data. This technology enables continuous remote monitoring of patients’ vital signs and other health metrics.
Some examples of IoMT devices include:
- Smart pills with ingestible sensors to track medication adherence
- Connected glucose monitors for diabetes management
- Wearable ECG monitors for heart patients
- Smart inhalers that track usage and environmental triggers for asthma patients
5G networks enabling real-time, high-quality video visits
The rollout of 5G networks dramatically improves the quality and reliability of video-based telehealth services. 5G offers much faster data speeds and lower latency compared to 4G networks.
In fact, 5G technology can reduce video latency to less than 2 milliseconds, enabling real-time interaction during virtual doctor visits comparable to in-person visits.
For telehealth, this means:
- Higher-quality video and audio for virtual visits
- The ability to transmit large medical files like MRIs quickly
- More reliable connections in rural or remote areas
- Support for bandwidth-intensive applications like augmented reality
Take a look at a diagram that shows how connected medical devices interoperate across different systems (Deloitte, 2021).
Virtual and augmented reality applications in telemedicine
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have exciting potential applications in telehealth:
- VR for pain management and physical therapy
- AR-assisted remote surgical guidance
- Immersive mental health treatments like exposure therapy for phobias
- Medical training and education in virtual environments
For instance, a 2018 study in the Journal of Visualized Experiments found that VR-based physical therapy for stroke patients greatly improved upper limb function compared to conventional therapy (Choi & Paik, 2018).
While technology is important, telehealth’s real strength is in making specialized care available to more people.
Expanding Access to Specialized Care
One of telehealth’s greatest promises is improving access to specialized medical care, especially for underserved populations.
Telepsychiatry bridging the mental health treatment gap
Mental health care has long suffered from accessibility issues, with many areas facing severe shortages of psychiatrists and therapists. Telepsychiatry is helping to bridge this gap.
A 2016 study in the World Journal of Psychiatry found that telepsychiatry was as effective as in-person care for treating depression, with the added benefit of increased patient satisfaction and engagement (Hubley et al., 2016).
Telepsychiatry is particularly valuable for:
- Rural communities with few local mental health providers
- Patients with mobility issues or transportation barriers
- People seeking specialized treatments not available locally
- Those who prefer the privacy and convenience of at-home care
Remote visits with specialists for rural and underserved areas
Telehealth is bringing specialized medical expertise to areas that previously had little or no access. This includes:
- Remote dermatology visits using high-resolution images
- Virtual neurology assessments for stroke patients
- Tele-oncology services for cancer patients in rural areas
School-based telehealth programs improving pediatric care
School-based telehealth programs are emerging as a powerful tool for improving children’s health, especially in underserved communities. These programs typically involve:
- On-site telehealth equipment in school nurse offices
- Virtual visits with pediatricians or specialists
- Management of chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes
- Mental health services for students
Halterman et al (2017) found that school-based telehealth programs reduced emergency department visits and improved asthma outcomes for children in rural communities.
Virtual second opinions from leading medical experts
Telehealth is making it easier for patients to get second opinions from top specialists, regardless of geographic location. This can be particularly valuable for complex or rare conditions.
Several major medical centers now offer formal virtual second opinion programs. For example, the Mayo Clinic’s eConsults program provides written second opinions from Mayo Clinic specialists based on a review of medical records and test results.
Telehealth is also changing how we approach personalized care and monitoring for patients.
Personalized Medicine and Remote Monitoring
The integration of telehealth with other digital health technologies is enabling more personalized and proactive care.
Wearable devices for continuous health tracking
Wearable devices like smartwatches and fitness trackers are increasingly being used for medical monitoring. These devices can track:
- Heart rate and rhythm
- Blood oxygen levels
- Sleep patterns
- Physical activity levels
- Stress indicators
This continuous data collection allows for more comprehensive health monitoring between doctor visits.
Monitoring services are poised to continue incredible growth over the next several years, as depicted in the following chart (Gupta, 2024).
AI-powered predictive analytics for early intervention
By analyzing data from wearables, electronic health records (EHRs), and other sources, AI algorithms can predict health risks and recommend early interventions.
Some applications can help clinicians to:
- Predict heart attacks or strokes based on subtle changes in vital signs
- Identify patients at risk of developing diabetes
- Forecast mental health crises based on behavioral patterns
Genomics and telehealth integration for tailored treatments
The combination of telehealth and genomic medicine is opening up new possibilities for personalized treatment plans. Patients can now receive genetic counseling and testing remotely, with results informing tailored treatment recommendations.
For example, pharmacogenomic testing can help determine which medications are likely to be most effective for a particular patient based on their genetic profile.
Remote medication management and adherence monitoring
Poor medication adherence is a major challenge in healthcare, contributing to worse health outcomes and increased costs. Telehealth-enabled medication management tools can help by:
- Sending reminders to take medications
- Tracking medication usage through smart pill bottles or ingestible sensors
- Allowing remote adjustments to medication regimens
- Providing education about medications and potential side effects
As telehealth grows, we need to update the rules and regulations that guide its use.
Regulatory Landscape and Telehealth Adoption
The rapid growth of telehealth has prompted significant regulatory changes, with more likely to come as the technology continues to evolve.
Evolving reimbursement policies for virtual care
One of the biggest barriers to telehealth adoption has been inconsistent reimbursement policies. However, the COVID-19 pandemic led to significant policy changes:
- Medicare expanded coverage for telehealth services.
- Many private insurers increased telehealth coverage.
- Some states mandated payment parity between in-person and virtual visits.
As we move forward, key questions include:
- Will expanded telehealth coverage become permanent?
- How will reimbursement rates for virtual care compare to in-person visits?
- What types of telehealth services will be covered?
Data privacy and security considerations in telehealth
The growth of telehealth raises important questions about patient data privacy and security. Key concerns include ways to:
- Ensure secure transmission of sensitive medical information
- Protect patient data stored in telehealth platforms
- Maintain privacy during video visits
Healthcare providers and telehealth companies must comply with regulations like HIPAA in the U.S.
Licensing and cross-state practice regulations
Traditionally, healthcare providers have been limited to practicing in states where they hold a license. This poses challenges for telehealth, which can easily cross state lines.
Some recent developments include:
- The Interstate Medical Licensure Compact, which streamlines licensing for doctors in multiple states
- Temporary waivers of state licensing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic
- Proposals for a national telemedicine license
Global telehealth initiatives and international cooperation
Telehealth has the potential to improve healthcare access globally, particularly in developing countries with limited medical infrastructure.
Some notable international telehealth initiatives include:
- The World Health Organization’s Global Strategy on Digital Health
- The European Union’s eHealth Network
- The African Alliance of Digital Health Networks
Even with its many benefits, telehealth faces challenges that we must tackle to make it work for everyone.
Overcoming Challenges in Telehealth Implementation
While telehealth offers tremendous potential, several challenges must be addressed to ensure its effective and equitable implementation.
Addressing the digital divide and ensuring equitable access
The “digital divide” the gap between those who have access to technology and those who don’t poses a significant challenge for telehealth adoption.
Key issues include:
- Lack of broadband internet access in rural areas
- Limited digital literacy among some patient populations
- Affordability of devices needed for telehealth
Potential solutions include:
- Government initiatives to expand broadband access
- Programs to provide telehealth-enabled devices to underserved populations
- Digital literacy training for patients
Training healthcare providers in virtual care best practices
Many healthcare providers lack formal training in delivering care via telehealth. This can lead to suboptimal patient experiences and outcomes.
Key areas for provider training include:
- Effective communication in virtual settings
- Conducting remote physical exams
- Managing technical issues during visits
- Ensuring patient privacy and data security
Integrating telehealth with existing healthcare systems
For telehealth to reach its full potential, it needs to be seamlessly integrated with existing healthcare systems and workflows. This includes:
- Integrating telehealth platforms with EHRs
- Developing protocols for when to use telehealth vs. in-person care
- Ensuring continuity of care between virtual and in-person visits
- Adapting billing and administrative processes for telehealth
Health providers are set to invest heavily in virtual health applications in the next 5 to 10 years, as shown in the following chart (Gupta, 2024).
Managing patient expectations and building trust in virtual care
For many patients, telehealth represents a significant shift in how they receive care. Building trust and managing expectations is crucial for successful adoption.
Key considerations include how to:
- Educate patients on what to expect from virtual visits
- Address concerns about the quality of care delivered remotely
- Ensure patients understand the limitations of telehealth
- Providing technical support for patients using telehealth platforms
A recent Health Information National Trends Survey found that 70% of U.S. adults with recent telehealth visits used audio-video, and 75% felt their telehealth visits were as good as in-person care (Spaulding et al., 2024).
Conclusion
As technology advances and adoption grows, we can expect more personalized, accessible, and efficient care. However, success will depend on addressing challenges such as the digital divide and regulatory hurdles.
By embracing AI and other technological innovations, we can create a healthcare system that truly meets the needs of patients in the digital age. Patients, providers, and policymakers must work together to shape this exciting future of healthcare.
References
Choi, H., & Paik, J. (2018). Mobile Game-based Virtual Reality Program for Upper Extremity Stroke Rehabilitation. Journal of Visualized Experiments: JoVE; (133). doi.org/10.3791/56241
Deloitte. (2021). Medtech and the Internet of Medical Things: How connected medical devices are transforming health care. Retrieved from https://www2.deloitte.com/content/dam/Deloitte/global/Documents/Life-Sciences-Health-Care/gx-lshc-medtech-iomt-brochure.pdf
General FAQs About the Compact. (n.d.). Interstate Medical Licensure Compact. Retrieved from https://www.imlcc.org/faqs/
Gupta, D. (2024). 7 Telemedicine Trends Shaping the Future of Healthcare. Appinventiv. Retrieved from https://appinventiv.com/blog/top-telehealth-trends/
Halterman, J. S., Tajon, R., Tremblay, P., Fagnano, M., Butz, A., Perry, T., & McConnochie, K. (2017). Development of School-Based Asthma Management Programs in Rochester, NY Presented in Honor of Dr. Robert Haggerty. Academic Pediatrics; 17(6), 595. doi.org/10.1016/j.acap.2017.04.008
Hubley, S., Lynch, S. B., Schneck, C., Thomas, M., & Shore, J. (2016). Review of key telepsychiatry outcomes. World Journal of Psychiatry, 6(2), 269–282. doi.org/10.5498/wjp.v6.i2.269
Marley, R. (2021). 8 key trends driving the future of telehealth. Healthcare Transformers. Retrieved from https://healthcaretransformers.com/digital-health/current-trends/future-of-telehealth/
More care close to home. (2024). MayoClinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/about-mayo-clinic/care-network/more-care-close-to-home
Spaulding, E. M., Fang, M., Chen, Y., Commodore-Mensah, Y., Himmelfarb, C. R., Martin, S. S., & Coresh, J. (2024). Satisfaction with Telehealth Care in the United States: Cross-Sectional Survey. Telemed J E Health. 2024 Jun;30(6):1549-1558. doi:10.1089/tmj.2023.0531
