With restrictions and physical distancing during the pandemic, telehealth has enabled medical professionals to provide remote care to 37% of adults in the US, according to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention. Through a call, a plethora of tasks can be accomplished, and according to the American Medical Association, 83% of patients expressed satisfaction with their telehealth experience.
It’s no surprise that the future of telehealth is looking very bright. The healthcare space is rapidly evolving; we’re seeing digital innovations shape and improve how care is provided. The potential human and tech collaboration presents numerous possibilities for remote health, bringing exciting developments in this space.
Given all this, what will telehealth in the future look like? What is the future of telehealth technology? In this article, we’ll look at current trends and future telehealth predictions and discuss how they might impact the healthcare industry.
Trends Shaping the Future of Telehealth
The industry has gone a long way from providing medical consultations via phone calls. Technology and consumer preferences are transforming the way we do telehealth. Here are a few key trends to watch out for:
- Computer-Assisted Care
- Concerning the future of telehealth, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) are being integrated into telehealth systems to improve medical processes such as diagnosis and treatment. These technologies can quickly and accurately process millions of data points, such as patient information, electronic health records, medical imaging data, and research databases. AI algorithms can identify high-risk cases and forecast outcomes, making diagnoses more accurate. ML enables providers to monitor patients, analyzing patient data in real-time continuously. This allows for customized care and proactive interventions or treatment. Last but not least, AI powers chatbots and virtual assistants that provide basic healthcare support to patients anytime, anywhere.
- Out-of-This-World Health Solutions
- Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) can revolutionize the future of telehealth. They allow for interactive and immersive healthcare services, making remote patient consultations more personal. VR is also be used for medical training simulations, while AR can guide providers' diagnosis and treatment. Both technologies improve the overall patient experience.
- Growing Patient Preferences
- The growing demands and preferences of patients will be the most significant driving force in the development of telehealth. This includes providing seamless, omnichannel healthcare that is streamlined for patients. Health institutions must be able to integrate communications through chat, video calls, and other touchpoints, making it easy for patients to access healthcare solutions.
Envisioning the Future of Telehealth
The widespread acceptance and adoption of telehealth will evolve and change according to evolving patient needs. Here are some developments we can expect for telehealth in the future.
- Prioritizing Preventive Care
- Initially a reactive solution for patients, telehealth will progress to preventive and proactive models. With the shift towards holistic health, future telehealth solutions will include health coaching, remote monitoring, and customized health diagnoses to detect early health risks and promote overall wellness. Medical professionals will also be able to teach and empower communities through telehealth, helping people build healthier habits and reduce the risk of ailments via interactive, educational outreach.
- Complete Telehealth Adoption
- We can expect telehealth to be a regular part of healthcare provisions. No longer limited to primary care or simple medical assessments, the future of telehealth will lead to a substantial increase in the kinds of specialties and services offered, including cardiology, radiology, and more. With the general population becoming increasingly digital, we expect them to adopt further and embrace telehealth in the coming years. Experts will also be able to reach underserved and remote areas, providing specialized care to those who did not have access to it before.
- Collaborative and Coordinated Care
- Telehealth will act as a tool for virtual collaboration for medical professionals, allowing specialists from different teams to discuss among themselves and make collective decisions for treatment. This will enable experts from other areas to work as one, solving complex medical cases as a team. Telehealth will be a platform for collaborative and seamless communication, enabling the development of cohesive care plans. Overall, providers can deliver holistic and customized care, leading to better patient experiences and outcomes.
While telehealth will never fully replace in-person care, it will play a crucial role in meeting shifting patient demands and improving the speed and quality of healthcare delivery in the years to come. It’s convenient, efficient, and cost-friendly, benefiting both patient and provider.
Fast-forward to the Future of Telehealth With Us
Telehealth is a key touchpoint for healthcare businesses; it’s a platform that directly engages with patients and, therefore, can’t be taken for granted. You’ll need an experienced healthcare BPO partner that is ready to leverage telehealth platforms to their full potential—a partner that has the resources and talent to embrace the future of telehealth technology.
Since 2008, TaskUs has been developing cloud-based solutions to maximize productivity, foster innovation, and elevate member and patient experience for some of the world’s leading healthcare and wellness organizations. With over 20 healthcare and wellness clients and over 30 languages supported, TaskUs redefines the patient experience through innovative, holistic, and resilient healthcare solutions.
- Simplify Member & Patient Experience
- We combine human-led, AI-backed strategies, advanced technology, and personalized support to streamline member and patient experience, ensuring seamless, efficient, and empathetic care.
- Deliver Outstanding Provider & Payer Services
- Maximize value, navigate demand, and meet regulatory requirements with our data-driven insights and future-proof solutions for members and patients.
- Optimize Health and Care Management
- We drive user adoption and enhance value-driven results for healthcare and wellness platforms, services, and devices through our scalable support infrastructure.
Recognized by the Everest Group as the World's Fastest Business Process (Outsourcing) Service Provider in 2022 and with glowing reviews in Gartner Peer Insights Review, TaskUs today stands as a leading provider of world-class healthcare solutions and digital CX, all powered by SuperHuman Outsourcing.
With our expertise in healthcare solutions and telehealth, we can help your organization elevate patient experiences, scale your business, and streamline internal processes.
- 1^Telemedicine Use Among Adults: United States, 2021
