In this edition of Practice Pulse, we surveyed physicians to find out how they are preparing for patient care after the pandemic. As day-to-day activities normalize and the public emerges from sheltering-in-place, what will practices do to ensure patient and staff safety and what tools will they implement to operate in the new post-COVID “normal?”
We surveyed dozens of MTBC + CareCloud Health customers across the country to understand how they’re responding to the COVID-19 crisis. [1]
Practice Role
Practice Size
We asked physicians how often they used telehealth services before and during the pandemic – and to predict their usage after the crisis is over – to understand how the outbreak has driven telehealth adoption and if that adoption will stick.
Very few physicians reported frequent or occasional telehealth use prior to COVID-19, and as expected, usage rose exponentially during the outbreak. But will those who adopted telehealth services during COVID-19 continue to use them in a post-pandemic world? Survey says, mostly yes.
63% of practices intend to use telehealth either frequently, somewhat frequently, or occasionally, after the pandemic.
BEFORE COVID-19
of practices reported frequent to occasional telehealth use.
DURING COVID-19
of practices reported frequent to occasional telehealth use.
AFTER COVID-19
of practices predict frequent to occasional Telehealth use in the future.
In mid May, we asked physicians when they expect to re-open their offices. 43% never closed their physical practice, and 52% plan to re-open within the next six months. No practices in our survey reported permanent closure due to COVID-19; however, one practice did say that it will not re-open its physical location because it has converted to telehealth service only.
Source: COVID-19 Outlook Survey
*One respondent may be in danger of permanent closure
COVID-19 screening during intake
We asked physicians to identify which measures they intend to implement as part of their post-quarantine operations.
Over 60% of responding physicians identified “increased telehealth,” “added safety measures for staff,” and “increased facility sanitation,” as must-have implementations. More than 20% of practices will implement measures to reduce contact and limit waiting room congestion, including “contactless patient intake,” “staggered scheduling,” “limited in-person office visits,” and “removal of high-touch items.”
Insights:
21% will implement contactless patient intake solutions
17% will implement additional sources of revenue
5% will not be implementing any changes
Considering that none of our surveyed practices had to close permanently and that over half of participating physicians will re-open within six months, the resilience and adaptability of these practices should be celebrated. As lockdowns begin to ease and patients make their way back into physician offices, we expect to see a continued reliance on telehealth services. In fact, out of those surveyed, 63% plan to use telehealth post-quarantine, and 61% agree that the availability of telehealth is a must-have service for their patients.
Telehealth services and contactless intake solutions, as well as thoughtful scheduling and staffing, will play significant roles in the months to come. With more than half of surveyed practices planning to re-open within the next six months, physicians will be seeking the resources and equipment necessary to ensure operational efficiency and safe patient care.
Download the Full COVID-19 Outlook Survey Report
We surveyed dozens of practice leaders and physicians to understand the challenges medical practices are facing.
President, Telehealth
VP Client Success
Chief Marketing Officer
MTBC + CareCloud Health continue to deploy efforts and resources to assist medical practices as they adapt to the rapidly changing healthcare industry. We’re focused on supporting practices through a variety of insights, solutions & resources.
[1] Data from the CareCloud Health Practice Impact Survey, which collected data from over 230 practice leaders and physicians during the week of March 23, 2020.
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