Only 14% of physicians use virtual care tech, Deloitte survey finds

Virtual care programs are becoming increasingly important to health systems looking to retain and attract new consumers, employers and health insurers who demand care that is both more connected and convenient, according to Deloitte’s 2018 Surveys of Health Care Consumers and Physicians.

Deloitte surveyed 624 primary care and specialty physicians about their experience with virtual care technologies, including its benefits, challenges and potential uses.

Here’s what you need to know:

1. Deloitte suggested physicians and organizations consider how virtual care technology can keep their practice keep up with market demand and set them apart from the competition. On-demand video visit capability can extend practices’ retail care strategy and may expand patient base to include young patients who do not have a relationship with a healthcare system, Deloitte said.

2. In the survey, 66 percent of physicians said the best benefit of virtual care programs is improved patient access to care.

3. Patient satisfaction was second of the list, with 52 percent of physicians listing it as an important benefit.

4. Forty-five percent of physicians indicated staying connected with patients and their caregivers as a benefit of virtual care.

5. Deloitte found while many physicians see the benefit in adopting virtual care technology, only 14 percent of physicians surveyed had virtual care technology like video visits, and 18 percent said they plan to add the technology in a year or two.

6. Reasons for low adoption of virtual care technologies included lack of reimbursement, complex licensing requirements and the high cost of the technology. Physicians also cited concerns about medical errors — 36 percent — and data security and privacy — 33 percent.

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