In COVID-19's Wake, Hospitals Look to Hybrid Model With In-Person, Virtual Care on Equal Footing

As providers rushed to implement telehealth when the pandemic hit this spring, even hospitals with operations well underway were forced to accelerate their plans massively. The results — patients preferred virtual care in many cases, and technical barriers were overcome relatively quickly — mean many systems are pursuing a future of hybrid care that incorporates telehealth as a core piece.

While telehealth access is still a concern, and some patients will always prefer in-person care, most providers have reported that patients rate their telehealth experiences highly.

The health system also found a swell of new patients that surprised them, indicating an opportunity for increasing visit volumes and outreach. It sent a single email to all clinic patients and hospital patients going back three years, informing them of an online screening tool that could direct people to virtual visits if needed.