Online care is becoming the new normal in health care

Virtual healthcare has expanded in recent years and is increasingly used for both physical and mental health services because it can improve access, convenience, privacy, and lower costs. The article reports research finding little to no difference in patient outcomes between online and in-person therapy.

Virtual healthcare has grown from a temporary pandemic-era measure into an increasingly common way to receive care. The article describes online care as a means to consult clinicians remotely using computers or mobile devices. It highlights use across physical and mental health services and notes benefits cited by patients and providers. These developments are discussed as part of a wider change in how people access health services. Key facts: - Online care delivers medical services remotely using digital tools such as video, phone, messaging, and email. - The article describes virtual care evolving from a pandemic response to a preferred option for many patients. - Reported benefits include greater convenience, lower reported costs in some situations, and improved privacy compared with in-person visits. - The article notes that online care can reduce access barriers for people with limited mobility or those living in rural or underserved areas. - It reports research findings that show little to no difference in patient outcomes between face-to-face and online therapy. - Patients and some providers are reported to experience higher engagement and satisfaction with certain virtual services. Summary: The article presents virtual healthcare as increasingly established within routine health services because of its convenience, privacy, cost and access advantages. How broadly it will replace or integrate with in-person services and how adoption unfolds over time is undetermined at this time.