Remote Doctor Emerges as a Viable Medical Career Path in the U.S., Say Doximity and American Well

Market forecasts indicate that the consumer demand in 2016 will focus on further reducing the costs of personalized medicine. To meet this demand, patient traffic at online clinics and retail clinics is expected to continue increasing. Telemedicine will be an essential component in providing lower-cost healthcare services.

It is estimated that U.S. corporate employers intended to increase their spending on medical benefits by 6% in 2016. Against the backdrop of the Affordable Care Act, most employers made extensive preparations to cope with rising costs, with the adoption of online medical clinics being part of their strategy aimed at reducing employee visits to emergency rooms and lowering expenses. While many clinics had already utilized telemedicine equipment, this number was expected to expand in 2016. A survey conducted by a healthcare-related business group found that 74% of clinics planned to offer telemedicine services to patients, representing a significant increase from 48% during the same period last year.

In the retail sector, seasoned professionals in the healthcare industry have recognized that many consumers are actively embracing telemedicine as a means to reduce medical costs, even though it is not yet covered by insurance. To meet consumer demand, pharmaceutical giant CVS is actively expanding its digital health offerings and walk-in MinuteClinic services, which have received consistent praise from patients.

Overall, as telemedicine services become increasingly prevalent, consumers are also more willing to use them. According to a survey by Accenture, 57% of U.S. consumers track their health information online, including medical history, physical activity, and symptoms. According to American Well (the first company in the United States certified by the American Telemedicine Association), 64% of Americans are willing to consult doctors via video calls; 70% of consumers would prefer to obtain a routine prescription through a video consultation rather than visit a clinic in person.

The rise of telemedicine, operating outside the traditional healthcare system, has also given rise to related legal disputes; however, manufacturers are already seeking ways to ensure the seamless delivery of telemedicine services. The adoption of telemedicine by more employers and retail clinics was one of the future healthcare trends driving the transformation of the health sector in 2016. Other trends included projected growth in reimbursements, the relaxation of international agreements, and the strengthening of emerging national legislation.

Driven by the growing prevalence of telemedicine, two giants in the U.S. digital health sector, Doximity and American Well, are working to establish “online physician” as a viable career path for healthcare professionals. The physician social network Doximity and the telehealth services provider American Well are joining forces to offer doctors the professional option of practicing medicine remotely.

According to Joel Davis, Vice President of Talent Acquisition at Doximity, Boston-based American Well has recruited physicians over the past two years through San Francisco-headquartered Doximity to work for its telemedicine network. “American Well is one of our earliest telehealth partners,” he said.

Currently, more than half of the board-certified licensed physicians providing telemedicine services on American Well’s Amwell platform were recruited through Doximity. In light of this, American Well and Doximity have decided that it is time to formally promote telemedicine as a viable career path for physicians, enabling them to practice at multiple sites and offering patients greater access to care options.

“Consumers are gradually shifting toward desiring this kind of service and convenience,” said Davis. A survey conducted by American Well found that 64% of consumers are willing to communicate with physicians via video, and 57% of physicians are willing to participate in this modality. Physicians’ motivation is not solely driven by higher income, Davis noted. “I believe this lifestyle is highly appealing; telemedicine is increasingly becoming a career goal.”

American Well’s network consists primarily of primary care physicians, and also includes dietitians and psychological counselors.

Translated by Liu Jianqiu / Li Ying

Responsible Editor: Zhang Nan