Listen to articleaudio:[https://d1lzrgdbvkolkd.cloudfront.net/3072_audio_894bf62613.mp3]&nbsp;<h2>Sense</h2>With the advancement of collaboration software and technology, more people than ever before have access to doctors online. In 2021 alone, 37 percent of adults reported having used a telemedicine / telehealth service.1 With the increased usage, researchers found that with improved access to care, people are less likely to spread illnesses such as COVID-19.&nbsp;However, another item to consider is patient satisfaction. A medical practice can have the best online offerings, but if the user experience is not up to standards, that organization runs the risk of losing both patients and revenue. However, researchers have discovered that, with a properly executed telemedicine solution, medical providers are experiencing similar satisfaction levels across all demographics.2 Because of that trend, 68 percent of physicians now offer virtual health options compared to just 14 percent the year before.3 In addition, nearly one-third of those physicians that implemented virtual offerings also have implemented chat programs with their patients.4 The results? New research shows 57 to 80 percent of patients prefer telehealth now when obtaining care.5<h2>Analyze</h2>So, what is making telehealth more popular than ever before? According to patients that have been interviewed by Deloitte6 and other entities, the most common answers are convenience, speed of care, and easy access to health information.&nbsp;A deeper look into the data shows that the largest demographics utilizing telehealth are those over the age of 65 and those patients seeking mental health treatment.7 Understandably, not having to travel and having complete privacy for personal conversations is key, but the services offered must still maintain that “human touch” that people refer to as a doctor’s bedside manner. In fact, physicians that responded to a recent survey stated that meeting with patients virtually enables open and honest conversations, which allow for rapport-building.8The most common utilizations for telehealth include prescription refills, reviewing medication options, and discussing test results. With smaller online transactions such as these, it is no surprise that 94 percent of patients who received care through telehealth stated they would use it again9, making it the preferred mode of delivery for simple follow-up appointments.<h2>Act</h2>While the advancements in telehealth took a backseat to the emergency needs of the pandemic during the past few years, more providers today are looking to revisit that initiative and make an investment in a virtual health platform. For a practice to gain new patients and expand their presence, telehealth offers a unique ability to serve patients across an expansive geographic area, which was not a widely available option just a few years ago.Automation also offers medical providers an opportunity to find cost-saving efficiencies within the operation. With a virtual platform and scheduling services, physicians can rely less on workers and save on overhead. Additionally, using automation over manual processes may help mitigate the risk of human data entry errors, which can have significant health, financial, and legal implications.Today, it appears that all the pieces are coming together. Patients are more willing and open to meet with their physicians online, and the satisfaction rates are comparable to in-person services. Not only that, but today’s technology has generally proven to provide a safe and secure connection with providers to address concerns over privacy.With the data pointing in the same direction, the solution seems straightforward to medical providers: Find a way to offer a secure, easy-to-use, virtual platform that satisfies current customer demands by offering enhanced, frictionless, affordable, and high-quality care.&nbsp; &nbsp;<h2>About the Author</h2>Mike Kemp is an Insights Lead focused on the Leadership, HR Technology, and Workforce topics, as well as the Life Sciences &amp; Healthcare industry. Mike puts these subjects under the microscope as he explores the central roles they play in business strategy and culture.&nbsp;As someone who's dedicated his career to applied people research, Mike is passionate about scanning the market and keeping a pulse on relevant data to help organizations understand the potential that walks through their doors every day.Footnotes:<ol><li>Telemedicine Use Among Adults: United States, 2021, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics / Jacqueline W. Lucas and Maria A. Villarroel, PhD, 2022.</li><li>Telehealth patient satisfaction on par with in-person care during pandemic, mHealth Intelligence / Mark Melchionna, 2022.</li><li><a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/virtual-health-survey.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tapping virtual health’s full potential</a>, Deloitte Insights / Bill Fera, MD, et al., 2022.</li><li>Ibid.</li><li>Patients indicate high levels of satisfaction following telehealth use, mHealth Intelligence / Mark Melchionna, 2022.</li><li><a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/virtual-health-survey.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tapping virtual health’s full potential</a>, Deloitte Insights / Bill Fera, MD, et al., 2022.</li><li>Telehealth patient satisfaction on par with in-person care during pandemic, mHealth Intelligence / Mark Melchionna, 2022.</li><li><a href="https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/industry/health-care/virtual-health-survey.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Tapping virtual health’s full potential</a>, Deloitte Insights / Bill Fera, MD, et al., 2022.</li><li>Patients indicate high levels of satisfaction following telehealth use, mHealth Intelligence / Mark Melchionna, 2022.</li></ol>

Convenience, speed of care, and easy access to health information are making telehealth more popular than ever before.

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Life Sciences & Healthcare

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Telehealth's prognosis is good when providers balance tech, personal care

Digital enablement is about more than moving to the cloud or adopting flexible work tools. It's about incorporating digital principles into the organization's DNA.&nbsp;

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In the constantly evolving landscape, in the wake of a global pandemic and its reverberating effects on all aspects of healthcare, organizations in the Life Sciences &amp; Healthcare industry are trying to address uncertainties while bringing new discoveries and innovative solutions to life.&nbsp;