COVID-19 has caused sweeping changes to the way we prioritize and experience everyday health. The most notable effects come in the form of digital transformation across all categories of health. These changes will continue to shape our future outlook on healthcare and have a lasting mark into 2021. Here are the top digital health trends to be on the lookout for next year.
Rise of Telemedicine
Most notably, telemedicine has exploded in recent months both out of demand and necessity. From asynchronous electronic consultations to live virtual visits, providers are adopting viable alternatives to in-person care. During the pandemic, there has been a 200% increase in virtual visit volume for healthcare providers. Not only is telemedicine essential now, it is here to stay long into 2021. It is projected that one out of three healthcare visits will be conducted virtually in the near future. Even legislation, such as the Protecting Access to Post-COVID-19 Telehealth Act, has been introduced to expand virtual care opportunities after the pandemic. By empowering physicians to continue to safely treat patients virtually, telemedicine will make a lasting mark on healthcare.
Bridging the Distance through AI & Robotics
Despite Artificial Intelligence (AI) already being on the rise, the pandemic has accelerated their pace of adoption. In a global attempt to quickly diagnose COVID-19, researchers and medical institutions are pouring funding into AI solutions. Nearly 70% of healthcare organizations are “piloting or adopting AI.” We will witness AI automating additional workflows, virtually screening patients, and serving as chatbots for diagnosis. Furthermore, part of this growth is spurred by the deployment of robotics in healthcare. More than 70% of healthcare executives believe robotics will “enable the next generation of services in the physical world.” From transporting medical supplies to remote patient monitoring, robots will be used across the care spectrum to avoid potentially dangerous face-to-face exposure.
Digital Fitness Solutions
The mass closure of gyms due to COVID-19 has forced people to hunt for alternative means of exercising. Even as gyms re-open, 33% of adults say that they “will go to the gym less frequently” while 24% say that they “will never return to the gym.” What will they use instead? More and more, people are turning to digital methods to get their sweat on. From free YouTube videos to online group exercise subscriptions, there has been a tremendous spike in demand for digital fitness resources. As people continue to voice concerns about the safety of in-person and close-quarters contact at physical gyms, digital fitness offerings will continue to gain ground.
Strengthening Data Privacy & Security
From smart fitness devices to mobile contact tracing, a vast amount of data will be produced. Although all of this new healthcare data can lead to more rapid and accurate diagnosis and treatment, data privacy and security remain an important concern. 70% of healthcare consumers are “concerned about data privacy and commercial tracking associated with [their] online activities, behaviors, location and interests.” Regulatory statutes and quality metrics will increasingly emphasize and prioritize data as a part of patient care. As we embrace the benefits of digital health, we must remain vigilant about how that data is used and securely stored.
Sources
- “10 Exciting Digital Healthcare Trends for 2020 and Beyond”
- “Digital Health Technology Vision 2020”
- “From Data to AI: How these 4 tech trends are reshaping healthcare”
- “Medical cost trend: Behind the numbers 2021”
- “New Accenture study reveals emerging trends in digital health”
- “Quarter of gym-goers don’t expect they’ll ever return to fitness clubs thanks to coronavirus”
- “Seven ways COVID-19 is accelerating digital transformation in healthcare”
- “The Seven Most Important Fitness Trends for the Year 2021”