While telemedicine is growing in popularity and availability, some specialties have been more in-demand for virtual consultations than others.
Telemedicine provider REACH Health conducted its 2015 U.S. Telemedicine Industry Benchmark Survey in November and December 2014, collecting and analyzing the responses of approximately 230 healthcare professionals regarding the state of telemedicine in their organizations.
Survey results indicated certain service lines tend to have more mature telemedicine programs than others. The survey delineated maturity of telemedicine programs by those that have been established for more than three years versus fewer than three years.
Here are the most mature service lines (i.e. Those that have been established for more than three years):
1. Stroke: 34 percent
2. Radiology: 27 percent
3. Neurology: 23 percent
4. Psychiatry/behavioral health: 18 percent
5. ICU: 16 percent
Here are the least mature service lines (i.e. The service lines with the fewest programs having been established for more than three years):
1. Dentistry: <1 percent
2. Rehab/therapy: 2 percent
3. Orthopedics: 3 percent
4. Pulmonology: 5 percent
4. Infectious disease management: 5 percent
4. Obstetrics/perinatology: 5 percent
4. Surgical follow-ups: 5 percent
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