What 15 Medical Specialties Are Most Interested in Telehealth?

Radiologists and psychiatrists are most interested in telehealth jobs, according to a new report from Doximity, while anesthesiologists and surgeons are showing the least interest.

The 2020 State of Telemedicine Report, released this month by the online professional medical network, includes its second annual list of top 15 medical specialties engaged in telemedicine postings. The list paints an interesting picture of how the industry is evolving and how it’s been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

As with last year’s list, the presence of radiologists and psychologists point to two of the most common uses for telehealth, and the interest on telemental health correlates with an ongoing mental health crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 emergency. Other popular connected health services on the list include telestroke (neurologists), dermatology, pediatrics and – in a nod to the pandemic – infectious diseases.

Beyond that, this year’s list is populated with a variety of specialists, many focused on chronic conditions, indicating a surge of interest in telehealth and remote patient monitoring programs that offer care management at home for people with chronic conditions who can’t or don’t want to visit the doctor’s office.

“The healthcare industry has experienced an unprecedented rise in the use of telemedicine in light of the pandemic,” says Peter Alperin, MD, Doximity’s vice president, noting that the number of people reporting at least one telehealth visit has jumped 57 percent since the outbreak began in February.

That percentage is even higher for people with chronic conditions: 77 percent.

“When looking at the specialties with highest rate of telemedicine adoption, there is a clear overlap of specialties that manage chronic illness, such as endocrinology and rheumatology, which top the list of specialties using telemedicine,” Alperin says. “For example, although long-term chronic conditions such as diabetes and arthritis require frequent patient visits, we have found that these appointments do not always need to be in person. This shows us that telemedicine can serve as a great way to reduce time-consuming and stressful trips to hospitals or clinics for those who require long-term care even after the pandemic subsides.”

The list reads as follows:

1. Radiology;
2. Psychiatry;
3. Internal Medicine;
4. Neurology;
5. Family Medicine;
6. Dermatology;
7. Pediatrics;
8. Emergency Medicine;
9. Geriatrics;
10. Allergy & Immunology:
11. Endocrinology;
12. Infectious Diseases;
13. Urology;
14. Pediatric Pulmonology; and
15. Occupational Medicine.

According to Alperin, the shift from in-person to virtual care necessitated by the pandemic is prompting all care providers to explore online platforms. And while the pendulum may be swinging back a little bit toward in-person care, many providers are looking for a way to balance both types of care in the future.

“The pandemic has essentially required each specialty to rethink how they conduct appointments – particularly those specialties that manage chronic illness and require frequent doctor’s visits,” Alperin says. “Although COVID-19 has been top of mind, patients with chronic illnesses and their providers have no choice but to continue managing their health and keeping up with appointments, even if those appointments take place virtually.”

Also on the list is geriatrics. With an aging American population that wants to stay out of nursing homes and live at home independently, that speciality could soar up the list in the future.

“Older Americans are at a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 so telemedicine is a great option for them, but this population is not considered to be tech savvy,” Alperin notes. “It is comforting to see that geriatric doctors have been able to connect with their patients via telemedicine despite this barrier which is a testament to the easy-to-use telemedicine tools out there today.”

On the other side of the ledger, the list of specialties least engaged in telehealth points to services that are very much hands-on. They’re also areas that are ripe for innovation, as healthcare moves toward the idea of bringing care to the person, rather than bringing the person to the provider.

“The overall use of telemedicine will likely continue to surge across the board in 2021, as comfort in it increases among patients and doctors, and as the technology continues to improve,” Alperin says. “COVID-19 has thrust telemedicine into the spotlight, but these tools are here to stay long term. We will definitely see a number of other specialties increase their use of telemedicine in the future.”

That list reads as follows:

1. Anesthesiology;
2. General Surgery;
3. Orthopedic Surgery’
4. Obstetrics & Gynecology;
5. Oncology;
6. Physical Medicine/Rehab;
7. Gastroenterology;
8. Otolaryngology (ENT);
9. Cardiology;
10. Plastic Surgery;
11. Nephrology;
12. Neurosurgery;
13. Pulmonology;
14. Pediatric Cardiology; and
15. Pathology.