The rise of online health platforms since the pandemic
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The COVID-19 pandemic has caused many changes in lifestyles all over the world. The medical arena has been transformed by this pandemic through the application of digital healthcare options. One such area has been the rapid increase of online health platforms. “Generally referred to as m-health, this term applies to the use of mobile phones and other wireless technology for the provision of medical care.”
One source in November 2020, Dublin, suggests that growth (usage) of health platforms in 2021 could be as high as 37%. Their research for that period also indicated that during the pandemic, 60% fewer patients did not search for doctors online, whereas on-line (remote) consultations rose by 350%, and requests for on-line pharmacy sales increased by a whopping 600%.
It is quite apparent that patients have understood the importance of not congregating and online medical platforms are one of the most practical ways to avoid probable public contact with COVID-19. The more vulnerable in our society, i.e. the aged, chronic ailments, pregnant women, etc., are just a few samples of patients that have increasingly availed of this benefit called digital healthcare. As the old adage says, “Prevention is better than cure!”
As can be seen from the graph below, global digital health care has shown growth predominantly in North America and Europe.
From a financial point of view, major companies are developing new strategies to take the healthcare system forward. They have recognised the formidable growth of on-line health care platforms and the great avenues for expansion of their customer (doctor/patient) base. Far from being static, medical software companies are developing new systems to provide better health care services to clinics, hospitals, patients, and practitioners. Acquisitions, collaborations, mergers, partnerships, enhanced products and delivery to the market are taking place in an effort to “ride the swell” of the rapid growth of on-line health platforms.
On-line health platforms are definitely evolving and growing in functionality, popularity, and use by governments, patients, and practitioners. Please feel free to contact us or visit our website to see the part that RioMed Ltd. plays in this transformation.
