Change is integral for transforming the world towards betterment. It evolves new methods of doing things. However, is change in the healthcare industry going to jeopardize independent physicians? The trend of digital healthcare is gaining recognition. But will the independent physician be able to attract walk-in customers with the increased use of technology? Of course, patients will always need to physically visit a doctor to diagnose and treat illnesses. But as the entire generations grow to be reliable in digital healthcare, in-person visits will become obsolete. 

This blog will highlight a few prominent trends emphasizing that digital healthcare is the future of healthcare. 

High Cost in the Healthcare industry

As a matter of fact, staff in emergency rooms are on duty 24/7 in a hospital irrespective of the activity. Of course, it urges for higher salaries even if there is no activity in emergency rooms resulting in higher costs for the healthcare facilities. 

At present, healthcare contributes 13% to the total GDP of the U.S., which accounts for $3.2 trillion. 

In the last nine years, in a family of approx. For four members, employees have to pay 69% more in the form of co-pays and deductibles. And 105% as employee premium contribution growth. 

The major healthcare costs in the U.S. consist of physician fees, diagnostics tests, facility services, and pharmaceuticals. Also, a massive portion of healthcare income is devoted to the administrative level. 

Basically, there is an increase in the prices for treatments, visit charges, and drugs prescriptions. But customers availing healthcare services have stagnated or even declined in several areas.

Hands-on Electronic Health Records

It won’t be wrong to say that digital devices, especially wearable gadgets control our daily activities. 

Be it Fitbits or Apple accessories, we use them to monitor ourselves, enhance our well-being and optimize health data. Later generations, such as Millennials and Generation Z, know only about the connected world, encouraging data accessibility. Thus, data accessibility involves generations to have a superior level of contact, enhanced procedures, and reliable interfaces; a substantial component of healthcare services. 

Ever since health and fitness applications have been gradually adopted in the realm of IoT, health awareness among the population has remarkably progressed. Such a well-informed population doesn’t only monitor their health closely. Still, it is conscious about gathering first-hand data on their health and delivering the information to physicians when connected through the right means. 

Features of Telehealth-Telemedicine and E-Visits

Telehealth has been widely used in the pandemic and has been embraced in healthcare. It has become popular due to its convenience and independence. Telemedicine and E-visits are incredible telehealth features with no geographical constraints, making sure remote patients receive quality health care services.  

Telemedicine provides absolute convenience to providers as well as patients. If you implement telemedicine properly, patients would no longer require altering their schedules according to doctors, opting for a more encouraging relationship.

The population of the millennial generation has grown to 83 million, which makes up the largest portion of the workforce in America. Being part of an active workforce, millennial make a high stake in the convenience and reduced time required for the treatment. Approximately 60 percent of millennial advocate the adoption of telehealth in healthcare. A person in a non-emergency situation is more likely to opt for an E-visit rather than a clinic visit due to time consumption. It takes us to another prominent benefit of utilizing telehealth, ease of access through E-visits, where patients can receive care promptly.

As healthcare systems realize the benefits of using telehealth, there is a significant growth in the adoption of telehealth in healthcare. 

Conclusion

Telehealth is a convenient option in the healthcare industry, and this digital technology is recognized among generations believed to stay in the healthcare industry. Digitalization in any industry is a source of adaptation as well as disruption. However, the main question is whether independent physicians will continue to attract walk-in customers to clinics and remain a relevant facility. It is possible only if they integrate these new digital advancements into the patient care model. 

Change is good, but remember that adapting to technology evolves us both mentally and professionally. It can encourage you to grow your business to remain relevant and competitive in the field.