A growing number of people are interested in using online doctor consultations as digital transformation spreads more into the healthcare sector. As a matter of fact, more and more people are choosing this route rather than conventional medical treatment. With all this in mind, it’s safe to say that the internet has been a boon to people everywhere. Online medical consultation services make it simple to schedule virtual visits and get prompt responses to health-related queries.
Nearly all consulting firms specializing in healthcare agree that online consultations are beneficial. Many people are having their daily routines affected by this shift. Most people who have had online doctor visits point to time savings as a major perk. But this isn’t the only perk of using this service.
Online Doctor Consultation Market
Healthcare service delivery can be improved by interoperability, information exchange, machine-to-machine connectivity, and the free flow of data. As a result of healthcare technology advancements, new opportunities in the market for digital healthcare services including online consultations are expected to emerge over the next several years.
The market for online medical consultations is expected to grow as more organizations use integrated business models to improve patient access in times of crisis. The traditional healthcare system business model is based on traditional, brick-and-mortar solutions, such as retail clinics and urgent care centers. These methods are inadequate to meet the developing demands brought on by a rapidly expanding population and shifting demographic curve. Consequently, funding for retail clinics and ERs is decreasing.
Technavio’s recent industry analysis predicts the online doctor consultation market will increase from 2019 to 2024, reaching $3.80 billion at a CAGR of 7%. During the foreseeable future, Europe will account for 37% of the market expansion. The largest markets for online doctor consultations in Europe are Germany and France.
In 2020, Europe accounted for the highest share of the global market for online doctor consultations, and the region is expected to provide market vendors with a number of expansion prospects. Market expansion for biofuels in this area will be strongly impacted by the disproportion between the number of patients needing medical attention and the number of medical professionals available to provide that care.
Main Factors of the Global Online Doctor Consultation Market
Increases in the senior population and the prevalence of chronic conditions including diabetes, arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and skin disorders are expected to fuel demand for online medical consultation services over the next few years.
Millions of individuals all around the world suffer from diabetes, making it one of the most widespread chronic diseases. The increasing prevalence of diabetes is mostly attributable to changes in lifestyle and a lack of attention to nutrition, particularly in developing countries. Diabetes is anticipated to rise from its current estimated prevalence of 9.3 percent worldwide in 2019 to 10.2 percent by the year 2030.
The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050 there will be 1.5 billion people over the age of 60. In 2010, this number was about 524 million. Furthermore, developed nations like the United States, Germany, and Japan, as well as the rest of the world, are rapidly aging.
Why online doctor consultation is still trendy?
It’s clear that there are times when seeing a doctor in person is necessary (an online doctor, for example, can’t feel your leg to check for broken bones), but there are also times when seeing a doctor online is just as good, if not better. It is becoming increasingly usual for people to use online medical services because of the time they save compared to visiting a physical clinic.
We look at some of the benefits of online doctor consultations below. An online medical consultation could be ideal if you are dealing with a medical condition but it is not an emergency that needs immediate treatment.
1. Absence of Physical Limits
You might not have to deal with the inconveniences of taking the bus and avoiding traffic to get to the dentist any longer. Online doctor consultations provide convenient and easy access to a variety of licensed and experienced medical experts who can help you with your health concerns. You don’t even have to leave your house to do any of this! In the event that there is no hospital or other medical facility nearby, you can still get the assistance you need by simply calling for it.
2. Quick Medical Care
In contrast to traditional doctor’s offices, online advice communities don’t require you to wait in line. Online medical consultations typically require setting a certain time and day. Therefore, a medical professional will quickly attend to you.
3. Getting a prescription is simple for you
Many people go to doctors’ offices and hospitals solely to fill an existing prescription. Patients often miss doses of their medications because they can’t find time in their hectic schedules to visit the clinic and see their doctor.
4. You save time and money
One of the main advantages of online medical consultations is the cost savings for patients. You get to save money on transportation costs because you don’t have to make the journey.
You can use the additional cash for your prescriptions and future virtual doctor visits.
You can consult even with mobility issues.
Most people who are elderly or disabled have trouble going to the doctor and keeping their appointments due to mobility concerns. Getting around by car or public transit is a major problem. This might be especially risky for individuals venturing out on their own. It’s easier and less dangerous to get medical advice online. With this choice, medical care is solely required for high-level executives.
5. Specialist knowledge Availability
It makes sense to seek advice from top experts in the field when dealing with critical health problems. The time commitment per visit, however, is quite high. Medical specialists aren’t the only ones who can see patients rapidly thanks to cardiology telemedicine technologies; primary care physicians can as well. This makes it possible to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.
Conclusion
During the forecast period, the market for online doctor consultations is expected to expand at a considerable CAGR (2020-2026). The rising preference for remote patient monitoring due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the rising burden of common lifestyle disorders in the younger generation, and the rising availability of doctors, healthcare providers, and specialists for an online platform are just some of the factors driving the market growth.