Considerations for Virtual Care Following the Pandemic

Area of Science:

• Health Services Research
• Digital Health
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly increased the adoption of virtual care, highlighting new patient and clinician needs.
• Patient expectations have shifted, with virtual care now considered an essential option, unlikely to revert to pre-pandemic in-person levels.
• Pre-existing structural and behavioral barriers, including issues of equity, access, infrastructure, provider licensing, and remuneration, continue to impede virtual care's widespread use.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze the impact of the pandemic on virtual care adoption and identify persistent challenges.
• To propose actionable recommendations and next steps for the sustainable integration of virtual care into clinical practice.
• To address the structural and behavioral barriers that limited virtual care prior to the pandemic.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative analysis of pandemic-driven virtual care trends.
• Review of existing literature on virtual care barriers and facilitators.
• Development of policy and practice recommendations based on identified needs and challenges.

Main Results:

• Rapid and widespread adoption of virtual care technologies occurred during the pandemic.
• Patient and clinician acceptance of virtual care has increased significantly.
• Key barriers related to equity, access, infrastructure, licensing, and reimbursement remain unresolved.

Conclusions:

• Virtual care is a permanent fixture in healthcare, necessitating strategies for sustained implementation.
• Addressing persistent structural and behavioral barriers is crucial for equitable and effective virtual care.
• Tangible recommendations and next steps are essential to overcome challenges and ensure the future of virtual care.