Pre COVID only 20 per cent of online consults were via video, now 90 per cent: Practo  

Online doctor consultations per patient surge by over 50 per cent to 3 consultations annually

As the global healthcare landscape continues to evolve, Practo unveils significant insights into the shifting trends in patient behavior and doctor accessibility toward online consultations since the pandemic.

Key findings:

Online consultation surge: According to reports, the number of users seeking online consultations in India has experienced a substantial surge, the figure rose significantly from 0.55 million in 2019 to an impressive 2.4 million in 2023. Projections indicate that this trend is set to continue, reaching an estimated 3.05 million by 2028. Practo’s insights substantiate this by showcasing a fourfold increase in online consultations on its platform since the pandemic (2019* vs 2023**).

• • Tier 1 cities lead the charge: The lion’s share of online consultations is attributed to tier 1 cities at 72 per cent which have grown by 6x since 2019, underlining their pivotal role in driving the adoption of digital healthcare services

    • Tier 2 cities contribute 12 per cent of consultations

    • Rest of India contributes 16 per cent of consultations

  • In 2019*, 2 out of 10 of these online consultations were video consults vs in 2023**, 9 out of 10 consults were video consults

• Peak of COVID impact: During the peak of the COVID crisis, which coincided with the second wave in 2021, online consultations accounted for a significant 24 per cent of total consultations, underscoring the pivotal role of telemedicine in ensuring continued access to healthcare

• Post-pandemic consultation trends: Post-pandemic, patients are exhibiting a more proactive approach towards healthcare, with the average number of consultations per year per user surging from 2.0 to 3.2 in (2019* vs 2023**)

  • In the same period, female consultations increased from 1.9 to 2.8, while male consultations rose from 2.0 to 3.5 per 100 users per year.

• Top specialties in 2023: The most sought-after specialties in 2023 included General Physician, Dermatology, Gynaecology, Pediatrics, and Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT), reflecting the diverse healthcare needs of patients accessing online consultations.

• Emerging specialties witness exponential growth: The following specialties have experienced extraordinary surges from 2019* vs 2023**:

  • Eye & Vision consultations soared by over 1332 per cent

  • Paediatrics by 1203 per cent

  • Orthopaedic by 896 per cent

• Demand for experienced doctors: With increased access to healthcare, patients are increasingly seeking highly experienced doctors for their medical needs. Insights reveal a significant uptick in appointments with doctors with 15+ years of experience, from 53 per cent in 2017 to 77 per cent in 2023**.

• Increased doctor availability: There was a 20 per cent increase in doctor availability during lean hours (midnight to 08:00) from 2022*** to 2023**.

 

Talking about the rise in digital healthcare, Dr Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Health Strategy Officer, Practo said, “With the increasing penetration of smartphones and declining data prices, digital platforms have become instrumental in bridging existing gaps in the healthcare ecosystem. And we have seen growing acceptance for online consultations from both patients and healthcare professionals. As we continue to strengthen our network, we at Practo are committed to working with the healthcare community to further enhance users’ healthcare experience and improve access to quality healthcare services to all. ”

Dr Manoj A G, Consultant Physician on Practo, said “Over the years, I have witnessed a significant acceptance for online consultations by patients. And this surge in online consultations signals a broader acceptance of technology in healthcare, enhancing patient experiences and outcomes. The easy accessibility to healthcare via telemedicine is making it a go-to option for several patients for their urgent healthcare needs. This is a reflection of the growing confidence in the quality of online consultations.”

This surge in consultations can also be attributed to the enhanced accessibility of doctors across the nation. Practo’s insights indicate a 44 per cent expansion of its network since 2019, covering a wide range of 4500+ pincodes.

*(Jan – Dec 2019)

** (Jan – Dec 2023)

*** (Jan – Dec 2022)