The first stepping stone to lasting healthcare innovation

The arrival of COVID-19 in 2020 accelerated telehealth adoption practically overnight; health systems, providers, and patients had no option but to start meeting virtually. These virtual appointments became the go-to mode for any and all medical appointments that could be done without in-person procedures — primarily diagnostic visits. Telehealth had always been convenient, but in the context of a global pandemic, the safety benefits were a huge draw for patients and medical professionals alike.

Demand for telehealth services spiked in the early months of the pandemic — nearly 80-fold in February, March and April 2020, according to a McKinsey study. Telehealth visits the following year were still strong, settling at a robust rate of 38 times higher than before the word “COVID” became part of our everyday vocabulary.