Telehealth predicted to transform health

A new study by Intel indicates that the vast majority of healthcare decision makers believe telehealth will transform healthcare in the next 10 years.

The survey of healthcare and IT professionals involved in telehealth, said it will have a major role in improving the quality and delivery of care to an increasingly chronically ill and aging population.

The Intel-sponsored study reveals reimbursement and fear of technology as the top perceived barriers to telehealth implementation.

According to the survey clinical decision makers believe that the adoption of technology and telehealth solutions will cut costs and improve patient outcomes.

The study found that a majority of decision makers believe that the emergence of telehealth will have a major role in improving the quality and delivery of care to an increasingly chronically ill and ageing population.

"The survey demonstrates the increasing need to shift from the current reactive health care system to a more proactive model that champions the patient and gives clinicians the information they need," said Mariah Scott, director of sales and marketing for the Intel Digital Health Group.

The results of the survey were published at the annual meeting of the American Telemedicine Association.

Improved patient outcomes were identified as the biggest perceived advantage to telehealth adoption, followed by additional benefits such as more complete clinician access to patient data and early identification of health issues.

Data Monitor estimates says the US market for telehealth and home health monitoring is expected to grow from $3 billion in 2009 to an estimated $7.7 billion by 2012.

The telephone survey involved 75 phone interviews with US healthcare and IT professionals who play a role in determining telehealth adoption and implementation within their organisations. The study was carried out on Intel’s behalf by Penn Schoen Berland.