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The Emergence of On-Demand HealthCare: Digital Opportunities Ahead

Life Sciences

Oct 11, 2023

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8 min read

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On-demand healthcare represents a transformative shift in the way we access and engage with medical services. It’s about bringing healthcare to the fingertips through real-time use and access of healthcare services and products by patients via mobile applications or web portals. It’s about breaking down the barriers of time and place, giving individuals the freedom to access vital services promptly, whether they’re at home, at work, or on the go—all from the convenience of their smart mobile devices.

The surge in on-demand healthcare is propelled by a growing preference for remote monitoring, especially in managing chronic diseases. On-demand healthcare not only ensures expedited acute care but also ensures streamlined clinical care, and improved access to high-quality services, all while transmitting real-time patient data without expensive equipment. This shift from traditional healthcare practices towards remote monitoring is set to continue driving the demand for on-demand healthcare services. This article delves into the world of on-demand healthcare, exploring its transformative potential and the opportunities it presents for both patients and digital innovators.

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Market Dynamics:

Market Dynamics:

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Drivers and Restraints

Drivers:

  • The global on-demand healthcare market is driven by the increasing preference for remote monitoring in chronic disease management, particularly among the aging population unable to visit clinics.
  • On-demand healthcare services can provide quick treatments and remedies for various ailments such as diabetes, heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, etc.
  • Furthermore, the adoption of sophisticated technologies like mobile and internet-connected devices in healthcare is fueling the growth of on-demand healthcare market.

Restraints:

  • The high cost of advanced smartphones and devices may impede the growth of the on-demand healthcare especially, in low-income countries.
  • The shortage of trained IT professionals capable of designing and addressing backend lag issues.
  • Inadequate data security and privacy during online audio-visual transmission pose tracking risks, necessitating robust authentication and secrecy standards for internet communication.

Covid Impact and Current Trends

During the COVID-19 epidemic, government lockdowns and restrictions forced many individuals susceptible to COVID-19 symptoms to self-isolate at home. Consequently, there was a surge in demand for on-demand healthcare, serving as a crucial solution to both mitigate viral transmission and provide essential treatment.

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On Demand Healthcare Trends

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Advantages of On-Demand Healthcare Services

Convenience and Accessibility It eliminates the need for an appointment and long wait...

Key trends in on-demand healthcare include the use of VR/AR for virtual visits, with 62% of consumers expressing a preference for virtual healthcare options. Remote medical services, particularly in psychiatry and dermatology, are experiencing significant growth. AI is also obtaining FDA approval for diagnostic purposes, such as in the detection of diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, mHealth (mobile health) continues its upward trajectory, with the global market estimated to have reached USD 40.7 billion in 2019.

Types of On-Demand Healthcare Services and Player Ecosystem

By offering convenient and accessible healthcare solutions, on-demand healthcare services have gained significant popularity in recent years. Below, we have categorized these on-demand health services into 10 types.

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On-Demand Healthcare Services

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  • Telemedicine
    Telemedicine enables remote consultations between patients and healthcare providers through technology like video calls, phone calls, or secure messaging. It grants patients access to certified physicians for medical advice, prescriptions, and diagnoses from the comfort of their homes.
  • Virtual Urgent Care
    Virtual urgent care services provide immediate medical attention for non-life-threatening conditions such as fever, minor injuries, colds, and flu. Patients can connect with healthcare professionals online or via mobile apps, receiving timely advice and treatment recommendations.
  • Fitness and Wellness
    On-demand fitness and wellness platforms offer virtual exercise classes, nutritional guidance, mental health support, and wellness coaching.
  • Prescription Delivery Services
    Prescription delivery services enable individuals to conveniently order medications online or through mobile apps.
  • Home Healthcare
    Home healthcare services deliver medical care, nursing, and therapy in the patient’s own residence. This is especially valuable for those with chronic illnesses, post-surgery recovery, and elderly patients with mobility challenges.
  • Medical Transport Services
    Medical transport services ensure safe patient transportation, including ambulance and NEMT (non-emergency medical transportation). Innovative solutions like MedART (Medical product aerial transportation) have the potential to revolutionize medical supply delivery through aerial transportation.
  • Mental Health and Counselling Services
    These services connect patients with qualified therapists, psychologists, and psychiatrists, providing essential mental health support.
  • Lab Testing Services
    Lab testing services offer convenient at-home or in-clinic testing for various medical conditions and screenings.
  • Second Opinion Services
    Second-opinion services empower patients to seek additional expert advice and perspectives on their medical diagnoses and treatment plans.
  • Remote Chronic Disease Management
    Remote chronic disease management services assist individuals with long-term health conditions in monitoring and managing their health through digital tools and remote consultations.

Unmet Needs and Challenges

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Unmet Needs and Challenges

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In on-demand healthcare, several critical challenges persist. Compliance with healthcare regulations is essential to protect patient data and ensure legal compliance, as non-compliance can lead to legal consequences and erode patient trust. Privacy and security concerns are paramount due to the vulnerability of digital health platforms to cyberattacks. Interoperability issues hinder data sharing and care coordination, impacting the comprehensive view of a patient’s health history. Performance problems, including slow response times, disrupt service delivery and patient experiences. Clear differentiation between urgent and emergency care is necessary. Additionally, addressing digital health literacy gaps among patients through education and support is crucial in the digital healthcare landscape.

Opportunities for Digital Players

Digital players in on-demand healthcare have vast opportunities, from developing telemedicine platforms and wearable health monitoring devices to patient-centric services like prescription delivery applications. The success in this domain demands data security, user-friendliness, compliance with regulations, and collaboration with healthcare providers for a seamless and trusted patient ecosystem, all while staying updated on emerging trends.

Digital innovators can create telemedicine platforms and user-friendly mobile apps for virtual appointments and secure medical record sharing. Developing wearable devices for continuous health monitoring, integrated with analytics for early diagnosis, is another avenue. Facilitating doorstep medicine delivery through online platforms is a growing trend. Prioritizing privacy, digital players can create tools for robust data encryption, multi-factor authentication, and VPNs (virtual private networks). Additionally, they can contribute to patient education by offering digital literacy platforms, granting direct access to reliable health information and educational content.

Conclusion

The potential of tele-surgery, combining virtual reality, robotics, and software applications, opens new frontiers in complex surgical procedures. Additionally, AI-powered chatbots are poised to revolutionize patient experiences, eliminating administrative hurdles associated with appointments, medical records, prescriptions, billing, and more, ultimately reducing unnecessary hospital visits.

As the on-demand healthcare sector continues to evolve, embracing these transformative technologies and placing patient-centricity at the forefront, the potential for innovation and enhanced healthcare outcomes is boundless. This paradigm shift promises a future where healthcare is not only accessible but also tailored to individual needs, marking a monumental step toward a more efficient and patient-centered healthcare ecosystem.

Reach out to us today to explore how a more accessible, patient-centered healthcare ecosystem can shape the way you experience and receive healthcare!

 

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