At the height of the pandemic, telehealth became a very popular healthcare option for those not wanting to risk leaving the house. And with the rise of telehealth popularity came other digital health tools, too.
A recent report released by IQVIA Institute for Human Data Science examined all facets of digital health, including the pandemic’s impact, continued usage, challenges and what the future looks like for digital health care.
Increased usage
Here’s a rundown of all the benefits of digital health tools the report identified:
- Several different digital health tools helped people during the pandemic, and there was an increase in app downloads for telehealth, exercise and mental health
- 90,000 new digital health apps were created in 2020, with more than 350,000 now available
- More people are wearing devices that monitor steps taken and calories burned, and
- The use of software to treat, prevent and manage specific conditions has increased.
Continued challenges
However it’s not all smooth sailing for digital health tools. Here are some problems that still exist, according to a study done by the University of Michigan:
- Telehealth grew during the pandemic, but total health care remains at the same level, meaning people used telehealth as a substitute for in-person visits
- Rural areas have low rates of telehealth usage
- Those using telehealth were more likely to be women without major health conditions, and
- Older people and minorities were less likely to use telehealth.