Idea in Brief
The Problem
The use of telemedicine soared during the height of the pandemic but has since plunged, owing to regulations, payment regimes, and patients’ and providers’ long-established preferences.
The Missed Opportunity
Virtual care can be much more than an add-on to conventional medicine. It can play a central role in diagnosis and treatment, raising the quality of care, increasing access, and lowering costs.
The Solution
The care delivery model could be revamped to tap telemedicine’s full potential. Kaiser Permanente and Intermountain Healthcare are among those showing the way.
Contrary to what many people think, virtual health care, also known as telemedicine or telehealth, is much more than a cheap digital knockoff of in-person care. When used appropriately, it improves patient health and reduces costs. It also makes care more equitable and accessible to the 89% of U.S. adults and 78% of adults globally who own a smartphone, including those in medically underserved communities.