Consumer Demand & Employer Initiatives for Telehealth are Building Momentum
- Inpatient Telehealth Adoption Rate Surging: Adoption of telehealth solutions or services has surged since this 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
“These results represent the fifth iteration of our annual telehealth study. 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. “As healthcare organizations continue to expand their reach to patients and fellow providers, we anticipate that telemedicine will serve an increasingly important role.”
Definitive Healthcare’s market-leading data and analytics platform tracks more than 7,900 hospitals and 900 IDNs throughout the U.S., allowing users to view inpatient telehealth implementations, RFPs, and certificates of need— and identify which specific hospitals are looking to install or purchase these technologies. Currently, Definitive Healthcare serves 9 out of the top 10 pharmaceutical companies, 9 out of the top 10 healthcare information technology firms, and 9 out of the top 10 medical device companies. In January 2019, Definitive Healthcare announced the acquisition of HIMSS Analytics’ Data Services, further expanding its provider IT install and purchasing insights.