Telemedicine

Telemedicine in 2022: will you be using it?

2021 saw a lot of talk about telemedicine and its potential uses. We got first looks at how it has been developed and the ways it's being used in different sectors, with a big push for this technology in many healthcare settings.

18 Jan 2022

The implementation of telemedicine solutions has varied, with some organisations simply exploring opportunities or testing the waters with small parts of their patient and/or consumer groups. Major progress that we’ve witnessed has come from these solutions allowing people to be seen remotely by clinicians throughout the pandemic. This was especially beneficial when strict social distancing guidelines were in place, and some still are. As we look forward, more advancements in telemedicine are coming and it’s going to go much further than video calls.

What does telemedicine look like this year?

2022 is going to see further developments and improvements in telemedicine solutions. As much as remote systems have helped connect clinicians and patients over the last few years, there’s a lot still to be done in connecting systems internally. Telemedicine providers will be looking to make their solutions more integrated with existing internal software such as patient management systems. This means that we are going to be seeing advances that are more than just 1:1 telehealth doctor-patient video conferencing. As well as integrating more effectively, we’ll also be seeing systems that can allow for group sessions and aids to diagnosis that can be utilised online.

“The technology is what will enable this industry to realize the full potential of virtual care beyond transactional, one-time interactions.” (healthcareitnews.com)

We need to see a more continuous use of telemedicine in settings to see how it can really transform an organisation but what we’ve witnessed so far is promising for the future. How it will be used in 2022 will change the way that businesses operate, and we will see a more hybrid approach to using telehealth and telemedicine solutions. This will involve still having face-to-face interactions with patients but also moving some services online which will allow for business transformations.

The digital world is continuously evolving, and new innovations are coming all the time. Current and new telemedicine providers are looking to continue with their solutions, and we’re looking forward to seeing developments in these innovations. 2021 was an innovative year and 2022 will see this momentum continue; if you are not already looking at telemedicine platforms, now is the time to see what’s out there!