Inpatient telehealth adoption on the rise

Aug. 7, 2019

Definitive Healthcare, a provider of data, intelligence, and analytics on the healthcare provider market, released results from its fifth annual Inpatient Telehealth Study. The survey polled healthcare providers in the C-Suite and IT Directors/VP categories to determine telehealth adoption trends, technology, and services.

Results indicate the adoption of telehealth solutions or services has surged since the study was first conducted from roughly 54 percent in 2014 to 85 percent in 2019, indicating a higher level of acceptance and desire for telehealth solutions and services.

Specific technologies that have shown considerable adoption gains are two-way video/webcam and the use of population management tools such as SMS text, while remote patient monitoring through clinical grade devices continues to show improved adoption rates but at a slower pace.

Significant increase in future investment plans: Plans for future telehealth investment also have increased significantly since 2016; 90 percent of future investment plans are slated to occur within the next 12 to 18 months.

Cost remains primary barrier: Competing for budgetary dollars continues to be the primary hurdle facing inpatient organizations

“With healthcare moving from fee-for-service to value-based care and with the increased focus on population health, patient engagement and more personalized care delivery, telehealth solutions and services can help bridge numerous gaps that exist in the current healthcare landscape,” said Jason Krantz, CEO of Definitive Healthcare, in the statement.