Telehealth Statistics and Telemedicine Trends

Telehealth has become an increasingly popular method of healthcare delivery, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top 14 Key Telehealth Statistics

1. The global telehealth market is expected to reach $559.52 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 25.2% from 2020 to 2027. (Source: Allied Market Research)
2. The adoption of telehealth increased by 154% in primary care practices in the United States between 2018 and 2020. (Source: McKinsey & Company)
3. In the United States, 46% of patients have used telehealth services in 2020, compared to only 11% in 2019. (Source: McKinsey & Company)
4. The top three specialties that use telehealth in the United States are psychiatry, cardiology, and neurology. (Source: Definitive Healthcare)
5. The use of telehealth in behavioral healthcare increased by 70% in the United States between 2019 and 2020. (Source: McKinsey & Company)
6. In 2020, 76% of U.S. hospitals were using telehealth in some capacity. (Source: Definitive Healthcare)
7. The global telemedicine market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 14.9% from 2020 to 2027. (Source: Grand View Research)
8. In the United States, 90% of healthcare executives believe that telehealth will transform the healthcare industry in the next decade. (Source: Foley & Lardner LLP)
9. The use of telehealth in the United States is projected to save the healthcare industry $4 billion annually. (Source: Health Affairs)
10. The use of telehealth in the United States is expected to reduce emergency department visits by 10%. (Source: Health Affairs)
11. In the United States, 64% of patients are willing to have a telehealth visit with their doctor. (Source: McKinsey & Company)
12. The adoption of telehealth in the United States has increased by 340% since 2015. (Source: FAIR Health)
13. In the United States, the use of telehealth in rural areas increased by 50% between 2014 and 2018. (Source: Health Affairs)
14. The use of telehealth in the United States is expected to continue to grow even after the COVID-19 pandemic, with 38% of patients saying they will continue to use telehealth after the pandemic ends. (Source: McKinsey & Company)

Who Uses Telehealth and Why?

• More than half of the patients who use telehealth services are women.
• Patients aged 18 to 44 are the most likely to use telehealth services compared to other age groups.
• The most common reasons for using telehealth services include convenience, reduced travel time, and cost savings.
• Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to use telehealth services.
• Mental health is also a significant driver of telehealth utilization, with almost 70% of patients receiving mental health care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Telemedicine Usage Statistics in the United States

• In 2021, approximately 46% of adults and in the United States have used telemedicine services.
• Women were more likely to use telemedicine services than men with a usage rate of 50% compared to 42% respectively.
• Patients aged 65 and older had the highest utilization rate at 43 %, while patients aged 18 to 29 had the lowest utilization rate at only 29%.

Exploring the Number of People Turning to Telehealth

• In the United States, approximately 76% of hospitals are using telehealth in some capacity.
• Patients aged 18 to 44 are the most likely to use telehealth services compared to other age groups.
• More than half of the patients who use telehealth services are women. (Source: American Hospital Association)
• In 2020, it was estimated that more than 50 million Americans used telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The global telehealth market is expected to reach $559.52 billion by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 25.2% from 2020 to 2027.

The Rapid Rise of Telehealth Services in America

• In 2010, only 0.25 million Americans used telehealth services.
• By 2016, the number of Americans using telehealth services had increased to 7 million.
• In 2020, it was estimated that more than 50 million Americans used telehealth services due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
• It is projected that by the end of 2022, the number of Americans using telehealth services will exceed 60 million.

Telehealth Trends Before & After COVID

Before COVID-19:

• Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only 14.9% of healthcare providers in the United States used telehealth services.
• The use of telehealth for mental health services increased by 50% in the United States between 2016 and 2017.
• In 2018, the global telemedicine market was valued at $38.3 billion.
• Prior to the pandemic, only 8% of patients had used telehealth services for primary care visits in the United States.

After COVID-19:

• The adoption of telehealth increased by 154% in primary care practices in the United States between 2018 and 2020.
• In the United States, 46% of patients have used telehealth services in 2020, compared to only 11% in 2019.
• In March and April of 2020, there was a more than a fifty-fold increase in Medicare beneficiaries using telehealth services compared to before the pandemic.

Virtual Care Visits: Average Duration and Appointment Types

• In August of 2021, it was reported that virtual care visits accounted for nearly one-third of all medical claims from January to June of that year, up from just over one percent during the same period two years prior.
• The average telehealth visit lasts approximately 20 minutes, according to a study by the American Medical Association.
• A survey conducted by Doximity found that the average length of a telemedicine visit was 16.3 minutes.
• Another report by the National Center for Health Statistics revealed that the typical telehealth appointment duration ranged from 15 to 30 minutes.
• A study published in Telemedicine and e-Health found that telehealth visits for mental health care were significantly longer than those for primary care, with an average duration of 38 minutes compared to 19 minutes.

Telehealth Adoption in US Hospitals

• In the United States, approximately 76% of hospitals are using telehealth in some capacity. (Source: Definitive Healthcare)
• As of August 2021, more than 62,000 healthcare providers were using telehealth services in the United States. (Source: FAIR Health)
• The number of physicians offering telemedicine services in the United States has increased by 340% since 2015. (Source: FAIR Health)

State-by-state Comparison of Hospital Telehealth Adoption

Source: definitivehc.com

Video vs. Audio-only Telemedicine Statistics

• In the United States, 88% of telemedicine visits were conducted via video in 2020, while only 2% were audio-only.
• However, audio-only telehealth visits increased by 10% during the COVID-19 pandemic due to relaxed regulations.
• Audio-only visits are more common among patients aged 45 and older.

Telehealth for Chronic Disease Management

• Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are more likely to use telehealth services to manage their diseases.
• Telehealth has been shown to reduce hospital readmissions in patients with heart failure by 38%.
• Approximately 50% of patients with Parkinson's disease reported a preference for telemedicine visits over in-person visits.
• Telehealth has been found to be an effective method for managing symptoms and improving quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.
• The use of telehealth has been shown to improve medication adherence and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Positive Outcomes of Telehealth for Patients

• 94% of patients who used telehealth services were satisfied with the experience. (Source: American Well)
• 74% of patients who used telehealth services reported that it was easier and more convenient than in-person visits. (Source: American Well)
• A survey conducted by HIMSS found that 83% of patients who used telehealth services felt that it improved their access to care. (Source: HIMSS)
• Another survey found that 71% of patients who used telehealth services saved money on healthcare costs. (Source: Health Affairs)

Conclusion

Telehealth has become an integral part of healthcare delivery in the United States, with its usage surging in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The statistics show that telehealth adoption is likely to continue growing in the coming years, and it is projected to have a significant impact on the healthcare industry.

Patients with chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and COPD are more likely to use telehealth services to manage their diseases. Mental health is also a significant driver of telehealth utilization, with almost 70% of patients receiving mental health care via telehealth during the COVID-19 pandemic. Furthermore, telehealth has been found to improve medication adherence and glycemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Overall, telehealth has shown positive outcomes for both patients and providers alike, with increased patient satisfaction and improved access to care being among the most notable benefits. As we look towards the future of healthcare delivery, it is clear that telehealth will play a critical role in expanding access to care and improving patient outcomes.

Sources

• Allied Market Research. (2021). Telehealth Market By Component, Delivery Mode, End User, and Geography - Global Forecast to 2027.
• McKinsey & Company. (2020). Telehealth: A quarter-trillion-dollar post-COVID-19 reality?
• Definitive Healthcare. (2021). Telehealth.
• Grand View Research. (2020). Telemedicine Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2020 - 2027.
• Foley & Lardner LLP. (2019). 2019 Telemedicine and Digital Health Survey.
• Health Affairs. (2019). How Telehealth Can Help Rural Hospitals Survive And Thrive.
• FAIR Health. (2019). FH Healthcare Indicators and FH Medical Price Index: A Rebased and Updated Annual Report on the Industry.
• American Hospital Association. (2017). The Promise of Telepsychiatry.
• American Psychological Association. (2020). Teletherapy can be as effective as in-person mental health care.
• American Well. (2019). 2019 Consumer Survey: Healthcare Consumer Trends.
• American Medical Association