Policies, Progress, and Prospects for Internet Telemedicine in China

Area of Science:

• Digital health
• Health informatics
• Healthcare systems

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated global digital health adoption.
• China's internet health ecosystem, driven by private tech enterprises, predates the pandemic.
• This ecosystem has significantly reshaped China's healthcare landscape.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the evolution of China's internet health market, with a focus on telemedicine.
• To analyze the role of private platforms and public-private partnerships in this transformation.
• To discuss future prospects and research needs for internet telemedicine in China.

Main Methods:

• Historical analysis of China's internet health market development.
• Examination of the interplay between technology enterprises and healthcare services.
• Analysis of the public-private mix in the supply-side of internet hospitals and telemedicine.

Main Results:

• China's internet health market evolved from early information networks to a robust ecosystem by the 2010s.
• Private platforms leveraged e-commerce, logistics, and payment systems for growth.
• A unique public-private structure emerged, with public doctors practicing on private telemedicine platforms.

Conclusions:

• Internet telemedicine has transformed China's healthcare delivery.
• Optimization is needed to fully harness its potential for improving the health system.
• Further research is required in specific areas to guide future development.