Evolution of Telemedicine: From 2019 to 2023

In the landscape of telemedicine app development, the year 2019 marked a significant turning point. Before this pivotal moment, telemedicine was merely a concept struggling to secure broad recognition and uptake. 

Despite its existence since the late 1950s and early 1960s, with one of the earliest and renowned instances being hospital-based telemedicine, its application remained limited due to widespread unfamiliarity and skepticism regarding its efficacy.

But the COVID-19 pandemic brought about a significant shift in the perception and usage of telemedicine app solutions. During the concluding week of Q1 2020, telehealth appointments observed an extraordinary surge of 154% when juxtaposed with the corresponding time frame of 2019. Numerous healthcare institutions have adopted telemedicine app development solutions more frequently due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns to stop the spread of illness.

Stepping into 2023, where do telemedicine's growth and popularity rate stand in the ever-evolving healthcare cosmos? What was the state before, during, and after the pandemic? Are these apps still relevant?

If yes, any changes in adoption trends and the factors contributing to its sustained demand? Throughout this blog, we, the leading Telemedicine App Development Company,  will explore the journey of telemedicine and its technological advancements that have shaped its growth from 2019 to 2023 and its role during the COVID-19 pandemic. So let's unveil the latest pulse of digital health! 

Tracking Telemedicine's Advancements Since 2019

Pre-Pandemic

• Telemedicine apps existed but had low consumer awareness and minimal provider adoption.
• Apps were basic video chat platforms with limited features for medical use cases.
• Strict regulations limited telehealth coverage and reimbursement for virtual care services.
• Telemedicine apps were an optional supplement to in-office visits, not a replacement.

During the Pandemic

• COVID-19 led to a rapid surge in telemedicine app development usage, with virtual visits skyrocketing.
• Providers quickly adopted telehealth to deliver care while maintaining physical distancing protocols.
• Regulations expanded to allow reimbursement parity and cover telehealth services for Medicare/Medicaid patients.
• Telemedicine apps rolled out new features for remote examinations, care coordination, patient education, and chronic disease management.
• Consumers became more comfortable using telehealth apps to access care from home.

Post-Pandemic:

• Telemedicine apps are now mainstream, with more robust features and greater integration with EHR systems.
• Many providers have incorporated telehealth as a permanent clinical workflow component.
• Regulations continue to support telemedicine utilization and reimbursement.
• New technologies like AI, RPMand, wearables are integrated by telemedicine app developers to add more value and capabilities.
• Consumer expectations have shifted to demand options for virtual care and mobile health management.

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically transformed healthcare delivery around the world. It brought an unprecedented surge in the usage of telemedicine or virtual care services.

Here's an overview of how telemedicine apps proved invaluable over the last few years:

• There is a visible surge in Telemedicine app solutions usage. According to some reports, the number of telehealth visits in the US jumped from just 0.1% of medical visits in 2019 to over 40% during the first half of 2020.

• The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 significantly accelerated the adoption of telemedicine app development. With lockdowns and social distancing measures, telehealth usage increased as a way for patients to access healthcare while avoiding potential exposure.

• In 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) underwent substantial expansion concerning the coverage of telehealth services aimed at Medicare beneficiaries. These enhancements encompass granting telehealth visits the same rate as in-person visits and the permission to deliver healthcare services from the comfort of patients' residences.

• Many private insurers also expanded telemedicine app solution coverage during the pandemic. CMS permitted Medicare Advantage plans to increase their telehealth coverage without going through the usual application review procedure. By mid-2020, nearly all states had emergency orders requiring private insurers to cover more telehealth services.

• Telemedicine app development peaked in April 2020; 78 times more people used telehealth in April 2020 than in February 2020 for doctor visits and other outpatient treatment.

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• The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 made some of CMS's telehealth flexibility policies during COVID-19 permanent. This expanded Medicare coverage for mental health services via telehealth.

• Telemedicine app adoption continues to grow; as per the survey of 2022, 80% of all respondents reported having used telemedicine at some time in their life, an increase of 8 percent. 

• Providers have invested heavily in telemedicine infrastructure and workflows. As of 2022, most healthcare executives surveyed said they plan to optimize and expand virtual care technologies.

Telemedicine: How Far We’ve Come from 2019 to 2023

Virtual care went from an optional extra to an essential healthcare delivery tool. Let’s examine how telemedicine app has evolved between 2019 and today in 2023: 

Telemedicine in 2019

• Limited reimbursement and insurance coverage
• Technology barriers like poor audio/video quality
• Underutilized by providers and patients.
• Legal and regulatory hurdles in many regions
• Viewed as an add-on service of limited scope 

Telemedicine in 2023

• Widespread insurance coverage and parity laws
• Advanced platforms with high-quality audiovisuals
• Adopted into mainstream practice across specialties
• More accommodating rules and regulations
• Seen as a core, versatile care delivery modality. 

The table below summarizes some major metrics that underscore the exponential growth:

Benefits of Telemedicine

1. Overcoming Barriers to Healthcare Access 

For many vulnerable groups, accessing healthcare has always been challenging. Telemedicine App Development helped overcome access barriers exacerbated by the pandemic, such as mobility restrictions, transportation issues, and lack of time. Virtual care made obtaining healthcare more convenient and equitable. 

2. Telemedicine's Role in Remote Monitoring and Home Care

Many COVID-19 patients could recover safely under home quarantine and monitoring via telemedicine app. Remote patient monitoring technology tracked oxygen levels, respiratory symptoms, and more. Home hospitalization reduces the burden on healthcare facilities.  

3. Impact on Patient-Doctor Relationships

The rapid shift to telemedicine apps changed how patients interacted with doctors. Though in-person exams are still critical, research shows that virtual visits did not negatively impact patient-doctor relationships and care coordination. Telemedicine enabled more frequent check-ins in some cases.

Technological Advancements Driving the Growth of Telemedicine

1.  Improved Telecommunication Infrastructure

The expansion of high-speed broadband and 5G connectivity has enabled more reliable video visits and seamless transmission of medical data. Telemedicine App Development performs optimally when there is sufficient bandwidth for real-time video. The infrastructure improvements since 2019 facilitate telemedicine delivery, especially to rural and underserved communities.

2. Widespread Adoption of Mobile Health (mHealth) Apps

Telehealth apps for smartphones and tablets have become commonplace, allowing patients and doctors to connect through mobile devices conveniently. Healthcare organizations have launched branded telemedicine app solutions integrating electronic health records(EHR) and patient portals. Patient adoption of mHealth apps grew during the pandemic, with many reporting high satisfaction with app-based virtual care.

3. Rise of Wearable Health Devices

Wearables like smartwatches and fitness trackers can capture health data, including heart rate, activity levels, and sleep patterns. Syncing this data with Telemedicine App Development gives providers valuable insights into a patient's overall wellness. Remote patient monitoring apps integrate recorded biometrics from wearables to enable chronic disease management.

4. Integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

AI tools like machine learning, natural language processing, and bots are enhancing telemedicine app functionalities. For instance,  AI can automate administrative tasks, analyze past visits to improve clinical decisions and utilize data to provide preventive recommendations. That’s why telemedicine app developers aim to integrate. It will easily optimize telehealth delivery and workflows.

5. Enhanced Data Security and Privacy

Robust cybersecurity measures like advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and integrated security systems have boosted privacy and data protection for telemedicine app users. Telemedicine app developers can integrate HIPAA-compliant to safeguard patient health information when delivering virtual care. Also, they can follow strict protocols regarding patient consent, access controls, and other best practices to ensure compliance with HIPAA regulations and telehealth privacy laws. 

Conclusion

Want to bring quality care into the digital age? Look no further expert at Consagous.

We are a pioneering Telemedicine App Development company that can help you to build user-centric apps that empower you to diagnose, treat, and engage patients virtually.

We, at Consagous, offer various mobile and web app development services, and healthcare and telemedicine app development is our core area of expertise.

We combine cutting-edge technology with intuitive design to create familiar, accessible patient and practitioner experiences. Our telehealth apps are transforming community health one download at a time.

As leading telemedicine app developers, Consagous has the expertise to turn your vision into reality—partner with us to implement virtual care and take your practice into the digital age. Contact us today at Consagous, and let's discuss how our innovative approach to telemedicine app development can benefit your practice and patients. Together, we can reimagine the care experience.