Important telemedicine adoption statistics (2024 edition)

If you’re unsure about telemedicine, you’re not the only one.

The thing is, you’ve probably used telemedicine services without even knowing! It’s essentially healthcare but provided remotely thanks to telecommunications.

As a digital marketing agency, you’d probably expect us to recommend adopting telemedicine.

But don’t take our word for it.

These statistics showcase the benefits of implementing telehealth – for both patients and healthcare providers.

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What is Telemedicine?

Telemedicine is electronic communication to provide healthcare. This can include:

• Telephone calls
• Video appointments
• Instant messaging
• Online prescriptions

Telemedicine doesn’t automatically replace in-person appointments but can be more convenient, cheaper, and give better care.

Telemedicine statistics you need to know

There are numerous benefits to adopting telemedicine – for patients and healthcare providers alike!

Keep reading to find out…

The adoption of telemedicine pre-COVID-19

1. The idea of home-based medical care was first discussed in 1879. A Lancet (medical journal) article mentioned using the phone to reduce unnecessary office visits. (Institute of Medicine)
2. Doctors were diagnosing patients via the radio in 1925. (Institute of Medicine)
3. The first medical video call between patients and doctors was in 1959 at the University of Nebraska. (Institute of Medicine)
4. The UK’s telemedicine market was predicted to be valued at approximately US$481 million in 2018. (Facts and Factors)
5. In 2019, 62.6% of patients reported no difference in “the overall quality of the visit” when opting for telemedical appointments. (Research Gate)
6. Telemedicine adoption saw a growth of 44% from 2015 to 2019. (Global Med)
7. Only 37% of people had used telemedicine services before COVID-19. (JD Power)
8. In 2019, 22% of doctors used telemedicine to examine patients compared to 5% in 2015. (Ziegler)

Telemedicine adoption post-COVID-19

1. Telemedicine demand is expected to grow to around US$1,241 million by 2027. (Facts and Factors)
2. The largest telemedicine market in the EU is Spain. Its telemedicine revenue was US$270.2 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach US$351.5 million by 2027. (Tech Report)
3. 28% of UK doctors saw at least 75% of their patients via telemedicine in 2022. (Statista)
4. As of 2023, 80% of people had used telemedicine services at least once. (Rock Health)
5. There has been a 12% increase in telemedicine adoption amongst the over 55s. (Rock Health)
6. There was also a 13% increase in telemedicine services among those who live in rural areas. (Rock Health)
7. Almost 75% of millennials prefer the convenience and immediacy of virtual appointments to those in-person. (Global Med)
8. And 60% of patients also found telemedicine more convenient than in-person appointments! (McKinsey)
9. When compared to in-person care, 55% of patients were “much more satisfied” with teleconsultations and wider telehealth care. (McKinsey)
10. 40% of people planned to keep using telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic. (McKinsey)
11. Plus, 63% are interested in wider digital health solutions, like scheduling appointments online. (McKinsey)
12. 27% of patients report feeling more comfortable using telemedicine after COVID-19. (Doximity)
13. Globally, there are over 116 million users of online medical consultations. (Statista)
14. Nearly 9 out of 10 US patients said telemedicine made it easier to get the care they require. (Statista)

Telemedicine adoption opinions from the professionals

1. Just 32% of doctors think telemedicine improves patient experiences. (McKinsey)
2. Saying that 36% believe telemedicine services are more convenient than in-person appointments. (McKinsey)
3. In 2019, 52.5% of healthcare professionals said teleconsultations were more effective for delivering treatment as well as follow-up appointments with more established patients. (Research Gate)
4. 58% of healthcare providers have a more positive outlook on telehealth than before COVID-19, with 64% saying they feel more comfortable using it. (McKinsey)
5. More than half of doctors agree that telemedicine helps patients avoid visiting emergency rooms. (Sage Growth Partners)
6. 86% of hospitals, and 79% of GP offices, say they offer telemedicine services as it helps remove barriers that prevent patients from receiving care. (Sage Growth Partners)
7. In 2019, 59% of doctors reported no difference in “the overall quality of the visit” when undertaking telemedicine appointments. (Research Gate)
8. 63% of healthcare professionals think cloud-based systems, such as electronic health records, are most at risk of a cybersecurity breach. (AT&T)

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