The number of teleconsultations such as virtual GP appointments carried out across the globe is set to increase by 80% over the next four years, according to a report from Juniper Research.
The report Telemedicine: Emerging Technologies, Regional Readiness & Market predicted remote consultations will grow from 422 million this year to 765 million in 2025.
The report expected that the average patient globally will use teleconsultation services 3.6 times per year.
However, it noted the need for mobile devices and connectivity will limit uptake to developed regions and consequently, more than half of teleconsultations will take place in North America and Europe by 2025.
But the report also concluded that by streamlining administration and patient‑facing tasks, these technologies could deliver cost savings for healthcare providers of more than $21bn by 2025 globally.
Juniper based its analysis on data provided by teleconsultation solution providers and adopting healthcare organisations, as well as third-party health data published by institutions such as the World Health Organization.
Commenting on the report, author and research analyst Adam Wears said: “Teleconsultation services require high bandwidth, which is often unavailable in developing regions; limiting the impacts of services in these areas.
“However, the report predicts that 5G technologies can be used as a last-mile solution to underpin service provision in areas where Internet connectivity is sparse or inadequate.”