세계 원격의료 시장 규모는 2024년 228억 달러에 달했습니다. 향후 IMARC Group은 2033년까지 시장 규모가 1,079억 달러에 달할 것으로 예상하며, 2025년부터 2033년까지 18.9%의 연평균 성장률(CAGR)을 기록할 것으로 전망하고 있습니다. 다양한 지역에서의 원격 환자 모니터링에 대한 수요 증가, 지속적인 기술 발전, 의료 서비스 접근성 향상, 노인 인구 증가, 대중의 의료 인식 증가 등이 시장 성장을 촉진하는 요인으로 작용하고 있습니다.
만성질환 증가
시장 성장을 강화하는 주요 요인 중 하나는 인구의 만성질환 증가입니다. 인구의 고령화와 좌식생활로 인한 건강문제가 증가함에 따라 당뇨병, 고혈압, 심장병 등 장기적인 질병 관리가 필요하게 되었습니다. 세계보건기구(WHO)가 제공하는 정보에 따르면, 2022년 전 세계 인구 6명 중 1명이 2030년까지 60세 이상이 될 것이라고 합니다. 전 세계 60세 이상 인구는 2050년까지 두 배(21억 명)로 증가할 것으로 예상됩니다. 2020년부터 2050년 사이 80세 이상 인구는 3배 증가한 4억 2,600만 명에 이를 것으로 예측됩니다.
원격의료 기술은 실시간으로 환자를 모니터링하고 적시에 개입할 수 있도록 도와줍니다. 이는 병을 효과적으로 관리하고, 잦은 병원 방문의 필요성을 줄이고, 환자의 삶의 질을 향상시키는 데 매우 중요합니다. 또한, 원격의료 솔루션은 환자의 원격 모니터링이 가능하여 합병증을 조기에 발견하고, 응급 입원 및 관련 의료비용을 절감할 수 있도록 돕습니다. 만성질환의 원격 관리의 편리함과 효율성은 환자를 지속적으로 지원할 뿐만 아니라 의료 시스템이 시설의 부담을 줄이고 자원 배분을 개선하는 데에도 도움이 됩니다.
헬스케어 분야의 기술 발전
초고속 인터넷, 모바일 연결, 웨어러블 헬스 가젯, 클라우드 컴퓨팅 등의 발전은 헬스케어 서비스 제공 방식을 바꾸고 있습니다. 이러한 기술은 건강 데이터의 원활한 공유, 우수한 화상 예약, 즉각적인 건강 추적을 가능하게 하여 원격의료를 기존의 대면 진료에 대한 실용적이고 효과적인 대안으로 만들고 있습니다. 또한, 인공지능(AI)과 머신러닝(ML)의 도입으로 원격의료 플랫폼의 기능, 특히 진단, 환자 관리, 맞춤형 치료 전략 분야가 향상되고 있습니다. 2023년 7월, Teladoc Health는 마이크로소프트와의 제휴를 강화하여 가상 검사의 자동 임상 기록용 플랫폼에 AI 기술을 통합함으로써 원격의료 시장의 최근 동향을 보여주고 환자 치료 강화 및 관리 업무의 간소화를 실현했습니다. 기술의 발전은 원격의료 서비스의 정확성과 신뢰성을 향상시키고, 의료 서비스 제공자가 원격지의 소외된 지역 사회에도 서비스를 제공할 수 있는 범위가 넓어짐에 따라, 의료 서비스 제공자가 원격의료 서비스를 제공할 수 있게 되었습니다.
환자 중심 치료로의 전환
환자 중심 치료로의 전환은 시장에 긍정적인 영향을 미치고 있습니다. 원격의료 서비스는 편리성, 접근성, 맞춤형 케어 등 현대인의 헬스케어에 대한 기대에 부응합니다. 원격의료는 환자가 집에서 편리하게 헬스케어 서비스에 접근할 수 있도록함으로써 환자의 참여와 만족도를 높입니다. 또한, 개인화된 헬스케어 서비스를 가능하게 하고, 환자의 피드백과 모바일 건강 애플리케이션의 데이터를 사용하여 실시간으로 치료 및 후속 예약 일정을 조정할 수 있습니다. 환자 중심의 치료를 우선시함으로써 건강 상태를 효과적으로 관리하고, 치료 계획의 순응도를 높이며, 궁극적으로 건강 결과를 개선할 수 있기 때문에 다양한 환자 집단에서 원격의료의 활용이 증가하고 있습니다. 2021년 8월, 필립스는 HIMSS21에서 HealthSuite의 두 가지 새로운 아이템을 발표하여 환자의 유동성 능력과 급성기 원격의료를 강조하고 임상의와 의료 시스템 간의 팀워크를 향상시켰습니다. 이러한 새로운 기능들은 효율적인 헬스케어 서비스와 의료 정보 관리 강화에 대한 수요 증가에 대응하기 위해 구현되었습니다.
The global telehealth market size reached USD 22.8 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 107.9 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 18.9% during 2025-2033. The growing demand for remote patient monitoring in various regions, continuous advancements in technology, improved access to healthcare, increasing geriatric population, and heightened healthcare awareness among the masses are some of the factors impelling the market growth.
Growing Prevalence of Chronic Diseases
One of the key factors strengthening the market growth is the rise in chronic illnesses among the populace. The aging population and increasing health issues brought on by sedentary lifestyles necessitate long-term illness management, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart conditions. On the basis of the information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), in 2022, 1 in 6 individuals worldwide will be 60 years of age or older by 2030. The number of individuals in the world who are 60 years of age or older are expected to double (2.1 billion) by 2050. It is projected that between 2020 and 2050, the number of people 80 years of age or older will triple, reaching 426 million.
Telehealth technologies allow the monitoring of patients in real-time and enable timely interventions, which are crucial for effectively managing conditions, decreasing the necessity of frequent hospital trips, and enhancing the quality of life for patients. Furthermore, telehealth solutions enable remote patient monitoring, which assists in identifying complications early on, leading to a decrease in emergency hospital admissions and related healthcare expenses. The convenience and effectiveness of remotely managing chronic illnesses not only support patients continuously but also help healthcare systems decrease strain on facilities and improve resource distribution.
Technological Advancements in Healthcare
Advances like high-speed internet, mobile connections, wearable health gadgets, and cloud computing are changing the way healthcare services are provided. These technologies allow for the smooth sharing of health data, excellent video appointments, and immediate health tracking, making telehealth a practical and effective substitute for traditional face-to-face medical visits. In addition, the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are improving the functionalities of telehealth platforms, particularly in the areas of diagnosis, patient care, and personalized treatment strategies. In July 2023, Teladoc Health strengthened its partnership with Microsoft by incorporating AI technology into its platform for automatic clinical documentation in virtual exams, showcasing the telehealth market recent developments to enhance patient care and streamline administrative tasks. Advancements in technology are enhancing the precision and dependability of telehealth services and broadening their availability, enabling healthcare providers to serve marginalized communities in distant areas.
Shift Towards Patient-Centric Care
The shift towards patient-centric care is positively influencing the market. Telehealth services are well-equipped to meet the expectations of contemporary healthcare individuals for convenience, accessibility, and personalized care. Telehealth enhances patient engagement and satisfaction by allowing patients to conveniently access healthcare services from their own homes. It also enables personalized healthcare services, allowing adjustments to treatments and follow-up appointments in real-time using patient feedback and data from mobile health applications. Prioritizing patient-centered care aids in effectively managing health conditions, improving compliance with treatment plans, and ultimately achieving improved health results, prompting the use of telehealth among diverse patient populations. In August 2021, Phillips launched two new items in its HealthSuite at HIMSS21, which emphasized patient flow capacity and acute telehealth care, improving teamwork among clinicians and health systems. These new features were implemented to help meet the increasing demand for efficient healthcare services and enhanced management of medical information.
Services holds the largest share of the industry
The biggest segment is the services section, which highlights the crucial importance of continuous support, implementation, and management services in deploying telehealth solutions. This section offers a range of services like advisory, coaching, upkeep, and technology merging necessary for maximizing the benefits of telehealth tools. Healthcare providers depend greatly on these services to ensure their telehealth systems are both appropriately configured for specific clinical requirements and compliant with regulatory guidelines. Services are becoming an essential part of the telehealth network due to the complexity of telehealth alternatives and the need for customization to fit seamlessly into existing healthcare procedures. This importance is increased even more by the continuous requirement for technical assistance and training for users to enhance effectiveness and address the growing telehealth demand in various healthcare environments. For instance, In July 2022, Teladoc Health broadened its Primary360 primary care program by including same-day medication delivery and at-home lab collection services with the help of partnerships with Capsule and Scarlet Health.
mHealth solutions represents the leading market segment
mHealth solutions involve using devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and other wireless devices to provide healthcare services and handle patient data. This technology enables immediate health monitoring and collection of health information, crucial for managing chronic illnesses and providing lifestyle-based health recommendations. There is an increase in the adoption of mHealth apps because of their convenience, allowing users to easily access healthcare services on their smartphones and improving patient engagement and adherence to treatment plans. The continuous advancements in mobile technology, combined with the growing smartphone usage, solidify the prevalence of mHealth solutions in the market. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) reports that as of mid-2022, there were about 8.58 billion active mobile users globally out of a total population of 7.95 billion.
Cloud-based and web-based exhibits a clear dominance in the market
Cloud-based and web-based sector is the biggest in terms of hosting type, mainly due to its scalability, cost-efficiency, and convenient access. These websites enable healthcare professionals and patients to easily communicate online without requiring expensive equipment, appealing to providers of any size. Cloud and web-based solutions offer a wide variety of telehealth applications, including teleconsultations and continuous patient monitoring, through real-time data storage and access across the globe. The growth of this sector is also supported by the rising security measures that safeguard patient information, ultimately building trust and adherence to healthcare laws. The widespread availability of internet connection and the constant enhancements in cloud technology are encouraging the use of these platforms, offering opportunities for the telehealth market growth. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) reports that the overall number of internet users in India increased from 850.95 million at the end of September 2022 to 865.90 million at the end of December 2022, representing a quarter-over-quarter growth of 1.76%.
Teleradiology dominates the market
Teleradiology is considered the biggest sector in the market in terms of application. The main reason for this dominance is the growing demand for radiological services in various large and varied geographic areas, enabling quick and precise remote diagnoses. In 2023, the teleradiology market in the world was valued at US$ 5.8 billion. The IMARC Group projects the market will develop at a pace of 13.8% CAGR from 2024 to 2032, reaching US$ 18.8 billion in 2032. Teleradiology allows for radiological patient images, like X-rays, CTs, and MRIs, to be sent from one place to another so that skilled radiologists can offer their services without being in the same location. This capability is especially beneficial in regions with restricted availability of expert knowledge in radiology. Advancements in digital imaging technologies, improved data transmission speeds, and the growing focus on timely and accurate diagnostic practices are positively influencing the market. These factors collectively contribute to the widespread adoption of teleradiology, improving patient outcomes by enabling swift, informed medical decision-making.
Providers are the predominant market segment
Providers are the largest segment by end-user as per the telehealth market forecast. This group includes hospitals, clinics, and private practices and has embraced telehealth technologies to extend their reach and enhance the efficiency of healthcare delivery. Providers are increasingly using telehealth platforms to offer remote consultations, follow-up visits, and chronic disease management, which are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes and reducing hospital readmission rates. The adoption of telehealth by providers is also driven by the need to reduce costs and improve the management of healthcare resources. The scalability of telehealth solutions allows providers to meet the rising demand for healthcare services, particularly in underserved or rural areas, thereby broadening access to care and enhancing patient satisfaction.
North America leads the market, accounting for the largest telehealth market share
The report has also provided a comprehensive analysis of all the major regional markets, which include North America (the United States and Canada); Asia Pacific (China, Japan, India, South Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and others); Europe (Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Russia, and others); Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and others); and the Middle East and Africa. According to the report, North America represents the largest regional market for telehealth.
North America is the largest segment as per the market overview, primarily due to its advanced healthcare infrastructure, high penetration of healthcare technologies, and supportive regulatory environment. The region has been quick to adopt telehealth solutions, driven by the necessity to manage a large population of aging individuals and the prevalence of chronic diseases. The Administration for Community Living (ACL ) published its 2021 Profile of Older Americans, an annual report providing an overview of the elderly population in the United States. According to the report, individuals aged 65 and older constitute one of the most rapidly expanding demographic segments in the country, projected to reach 80.8 million by 2040.
(Please note that this is only a partial list of the key players, and the complete list is provided in the report.)