Video conferencing in healthcare: adding a vital new dimension
As Ovum recently discussed in the report Video Conferencing and Healthcare: A New Chapter in Collaboration, video conferencing can have a considerable impact on care outcomes and patient and practitioner satisfaction when it is properly integrated into healthcare systems and working practices. It will play a vital role in the development of e-health as a central tenet of healthcare evolution.
Video conferencing solutions must be tailored to a range of different usage scenarios, ranging from disease-specific diagnosis and treatment between a care provider and patient to consultation between professionals. The equipment and networks required will also vary significantly, ranging from high-end telepresence that is reliant on a high-speed broadband connection to simple desktop and laptop services. The barriers to the wider adoption of video conferencing typically relate to non-technology factors, with the main barrier being ineffective reimbursement mechanisms. These can lead to a lack of vision and effective planning, and will slow the adoption of video conferencing as a mainstream healthcare solution.
The emotional benefits of video conferencing are important
Face-to-face communication is richer, more effective, and more satisfying for patients. For this reason, video conferencing is increasingly being adopted within healthcare as a second-best option if distance doesn’t allow for an in-person consultation. Healthcare involves many critical exchanges between providers and patients, the latter of whom may be in emotionally fragile states. The emotional connection provided by video conferencing enables care providers to pick up on important nuances in patient behavior. The role of video conferencing in reducing isolation also applies in the professional sphere, where it enables clinicians in remote locations to connect with colleagues and peers. It also assists with knowledge transfer between doctors, and fosters greater collaboration between physicians with different specializations. These are all factors that contribute to improved patient outcomes.
Deployment and developing a business case are challenging
Video conferencing is often more difficult to deploy in healthcare than in other verticals. Solutions must integrate with information systems, and often work with specialized medical devices. Funding can be complex and slow-moving, and effective reimbursement mechanisms are yet to be developed in many markets. There can also be significant opposition from professionals and investors that are concerned about costs or skeptical about the effectiveness and reliability of video conferencing services. The limited penetration of devices and broadband networks can be a significant barrier, as can interoperability issues between care providers’ video conferencing equipment. As a result, suppliers must work closely with potential customers, advocates, and professional healthcare associations to assess and quantify the benefits of video conferencing, and account for the widely differing healthcare systems and cultural attitudes.
Video conferencing has potential for mass-market deployment
The initial assumption for video conferencing in healthcare was that the often critical nature of interactions would mean that the sector would require high-end, expensive equipment and premium managed services. However, the reality is that solutions and usage are relatively diverse. We found that there are a variety of uses and requirements, ranging from mass-market, low-budget desktop solutions to immersive HD systems. Ovum believes that the rise of specialized treatment networks that rely on collaboration between professionals in different locations will drive the uptake of video conferencing.
The long-term prospects for video conferencing in healthcare are positive
There has been a lot of hype surrounding the revenue prospects of healthcare video conferencing solutions in the short to medium term. Solutions will certainly benefit from the shift to all-IP network delivery, improvements in interoperability, cheaper bandwidth, and burgeoning innovation. However, increasing competition and restricted health budgets will put pressure on pricing. The technical requirements for healthcare video conferencing are not unique, meaning that telcos can use their existing service portfolios. However, they won’t be able to charge a significant premium in most cases, and will need to develop video conferencing as one aspect of a wider portfolio of managed services and unified communications.
For more information on this subject, see Video Conferencing and Healthcare: A New Chapter in Collaboration. OT00039-044 (January 2012).
