The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly accelerated telemedicine adoption globally, with 76% of UK physicians* reporting increased usage post-pandemic. An overwhelming 89% of physicians expect further growth in telemedicine use, indicating strong confidence in the future expansion and integration of telemedicine into routine healthcare practices, according to GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

GlobalData’s latest report, ‘Telemedicine – Physician Perspective’: reveals that the use of telemedicine surged during COVID-19 due to social distancing and lockdown measures. While its uptake has slowed post-pandemic, its peak has yet to be reached. This rise highlights the vital role of digital healthcare solutions in maintaining patient care. As healthcare systems adapt, telemedicine is set to remain essential, reflecting its importance and effectiveness.

Sachin Gharat, Associate Project Manager at GlobalData, comments: “In 2020, the UK enacted the “Coronavirus Act 2020,” which facilitated changes in healthcare delivery regulations. This legislation spurred the swift expansion of telemedicine services, ensuring their ongoing use beyond the pandemic.”

Gharat continues: “The changes facilitated by the Act enabled healthcare providers to offer telemedicine services more broadly and efficiently, ensuring that patients could continue to receive medical consultations and treatments without the need for in-person visits. This rapid expansion and adaptation of telemedicine services not only addressed the immediate healthcare challenges posed by COVID-19 but also laid the foundation for the sustained use of telemedicine in the UK’s healthcare system.”

According to NHS England, 30.2% of all appointments in April 2024 were conducted through telephone or video conferencing/online. This marks a decrease from 41.1% in April 2021, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In comparison, only 14.68% of appointments were carried out this way in April 2019.

Gharat concludes: “The use of telephone or video conferencing for medical appointments surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, peaking at 41.1% in April 2021 before dropping to the figure recorded in April 2024. Despite this decrease, the current level remains significantly higher than observed in April 2019, indicating a lasting shift towards remote consultations in healthcare.”

*GlobalData’s survey consisted of 448 physicians from the US, UK, France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Japan, and China, conducted between January 2024 – April 2024