Provider visits return to pre-pandemic level for some specialties
Targeted engagements help patients move forward
The dramatic drop in in-person ambulatory patient visits to primary care and specialty providers was one of the most immediate impacts of COVID-19. Researchers at Harvard University, the Commonwealth Fund, and Phreesia analyzed the frequency of outpatient visits across diverse specialties and report that total visits have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels — an impressive feat.
Valuate Health Consultancy reviewed the report to identify key takeaways that may affect strategic thinking for manufacturers.
1The analysis highlights that large provider organizations have worked diligently to foster patient confidence by building safe environments during the pandemic. These actions have proven to patients and caregivers (especially older ones) that the value of visiting a practice is greater than the relative risk of contracting the virus. Large organizations that have made bigger strides than smaller practices may have the resources and institutional support for risk management to drive innovative approaches to safety.
2The report suggests that manufacturers should take a close look at why subsets of patients are or are not returning to the office. A substantial drop in in-person pulmonology visits may mean high-risk populations are struggling. Identifying access barriers for the populations that continue to avoid critical provider visits is the only way to improve care. The data suggest that variation exists between younger and older populations as well as between the commercial and Medicare plans.
3Data showed that access to technology may be driving patient engagement with providers. Providers managing COPD, for example, need novel approaches to succeed in the virtual environment with this patient population. In contrast, the shift toward telehealth may be a permanent solution for behavioral health visits
Manufacturers must be just as diligent to restore relationships with healthcare providers: partnership is a two-way street.
The rapid recovery from COVID-19 interruptions reflects the immense work that provider practices have done to push to return to the status quo. Watchful waiting and hopeful thinking that the virus will disappear or run its course equates to lost opportunities to demonstrate a commitment to serve patients at the same level provider partners have shown.
As we work together with providers and integrated delivery systems to care for patients over the next several months, we will look to these reports as a way to target our efforts and restore relationships in ways that reflect current practice patterns by disease specialty, age range, and payer type. When product value is aligned to support the current functioning of diverse clinical practices, we become part of the solution to ensuring access to care for all.
How can we help find your way in to provider partnerships that optimize product value for diverse provider and payer stakeholders?
