The COVID-19 pandemic brought on an unprecedented transformation in the healthcare landscape, with one of its most impactful and enduring effects taking place with the rapid growth of telemedicine. Zocdoc, a healthcare technology platform, is making waves in the healthcare industry with a new initiative, a free suite of tools meant to assist healthcare professionals with patient engagement while cutting down on administrative tasks. The initiative could result in improved adherence to treatment plans, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

The limitations of traditional in-person healthcare were showcased during the COVID-19 pandemic as the world struggled with the challenges of limiting the virus’s spread. Telemedicine saw a huge rise in adoption and prominence as the healthcare system responded to the urgent need for remote healthcare access and social distancing.

Thomas Fleming, Medical Analyst at GlobalData, comments: “Telemedicine is growing, and a recent GlobalData poll* showed that 45.9% of respondents will have a telehealth appointment in the metaverse within the next five years. Patients are becoming more accepting of telemedicine, despite privacy concerns. The growth of telemedicine depends on patient engagement, and this will have meaningful implications on patient outcomes.”

Zocdoc’s new suite of tools, some of which have features that include telehealth functionality, secure messaging, and appointment reminders, can help providers more efficiently communicate with patients. The potential improvement in communication could yield higher levels of adherence to treatment plans, and therefore better patient outcomes.

Fleming continues: “Zocdoc’s new initiative to provide a free suite of tools for healthcare providers could become a milestone in the telemedicine industry. Possible drawbacks include potential data security and privacy concerns. The security of patient information remains paramount, it must remain compliant and protected under healthcare regulations.”

*GlobalData’s recent poll consisted of 283 respondents