The Covid-19 pandemic has had a large impact on telehealth development. During the pandemic, telehealth enabled medical professionals and patients to interact while following social distancing recommendations. In 2020, over half of patients used telehealth for mental health reasons, while more than 40% of patients used it for other indications.

In 2021, Covid-19 precautions started to be lifted, and the usage of telehealth saw some decreases. Despite this recent downturn, GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company, predicts the telehealth market will stabilise and grow in the near future.

GlobalData’s latest report shows a downturn in the use of telehealth for mental health reasons post-pandemic. However, GlobalData predicts that telehealth, after an initial slump, should see an increase in usage compared to in-person visits in the US market in the near future.

GlobalData predicts that mental health care will see the largest increase in the use of telehealth technologies. Telehealth can provide a viable alternative to conventional mental health treatment, where it can be particularly advantageous, as it cuts down on transportation costs, allows patients to be more comfortable in their own homes, and is an inexpensive alternative for outpatient care.

GlobalData predicts a 6.5% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) for the usage of telehealth services for mental health compared to traditional in-person visits in the next few years.

For chronic illnesses and other diseases, GlobalData also foresees positive growth in the near future. Although these diseases may require more in-person care, telehealth still provides a valuable service to remote or isolated communities.

GlobalData predicts a 4% CAGR for the usage of telehealth services for chronic and other diseases compared to traditional in-person visits in the next few years.