Telehealth growing fast worldwide despite hurdles: market researcher
The dearth of doctors in rural and remote areas will help spur the growth of the global market for telehealth technologies by 18.4 percent, year over year, between now and 2020.
That’s the projection of Ireland-based Research & Markets, which estimates the current international telehealth market at a bit under $18 billion.
In promoting its new study on the market, the firm pointed to rising numbers of smartphone users, aging populations and the ubiquity of chronic diseases as the basis for its forecast.
It cited uneven telecom availability, continuing reimbursement challenges and high operating costs as factors suppressing the market from meeting the surge in demand for its products and services at an even faster clip.