Physicians are responding to the growth in telemedicine opportunities by becoming skilled practitioners, according to a new study by Doximity.
Between 2015 and 2018, the number of physicians who self-reported telemedicine skills doubled, increasing by 20% each year, the professional medical network reported.
About 15% of physicians have used telemedicine in clinical settings, such as diagnosing or treating patients, according to an American Medical Association survey. That hike correlates with a growing number of telemedicine patient visits – by as much as 261% a year between 2015 and 2017 – according to a JAMA study.
Perhaps counterintuitively, interest in telemedicine-related work is consistent across all age groups. Looking at physician engagement with job postings, Doximity found that “older physicians seeking jobs were just as interested [as younger physicians], with 23.5% of physicians between the ages of 50 and 60 years old engaging with telemedicine opportunities.”
Women are about 10% more likely to be interested in jobs that involve the technology than are men, the study continues, as are physicians in larger metro areas. However, there is somewhat of a growing interest in temporary positions, which translates to increased access to care for patients, the report states.
Patient adoption of telemedicine has led to a sharp rise in the number of related technology companies, Doximity notes. This growth means under-served populations – particularly people in rural areas – are now more likely to receive care.
Doximity claims more than half the nation’s physicians are its members.
Read the Doximity study
