From hospital to home: How healthcare could shift with medical homecare visits

The significant growth of the home healthcare sector during and after the COVID-19 pandemic has made it one of the fastest growing sectors in patient-centric care services. There are many reasons for this growth, and it holds a bright future for healthcare delivery and quality patient care from the comfort of the home. Learn how medical home visits transform healthcare in this article. Talk to our experts to know more.

Role of the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic played a crucial role in creating an opportunity for home care. It includes factors like:

1. Growth in virtual care: In February 2021, Home health services experienced a 38 times higher use than pre-pandemic times. Both payers and providers found an opportunity to respond to evolve according to consumer needs. Around 40% of consumers surveyed in the study preferred to continue using these services. This shows an increase from 11% of users who used home healthcare services before the COVID-19 pandemic.
2. More patients with post-acute and long-term conditions require evaluation of their options: Baby boomers and families experiencing the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 crisis, which increases the number of patients and families who are considering their options for post-acute and long-term care. Ideally, eligible individuals get care in the most appropriate setting, whether it comes from home or in a facility for rehabilitation, assisted living, skilled nursing, or long-term care. A combination of remote monitoring, home health visits, social support, and home modification may allow more patients to receive some level of care at home. The share of Medicare visits through home health visits & telehealth rose to 52.7 million in 2020 from around 840,000 in 2019, according to a December 2021 report from the US Department of Health & Human Services.
3. The emergence of modern technologies and capabilities: Innovative technologies are making care at home widely available for more people. Remote patient-monitoring devices, for instance, allow more providers to monitor patient progress remotely and receive alerts if there’s an issue. In an April 2021 poll, more than 1 in 5 healthcare providers said that their practice offers remote patient monitoring. The pandemic just accelerated this process and made it more effective in managing healthcare services.
4. Growing investment in the digital health market: Ventura funding for digital health companies achieved a record-breaking $29.1 billion in 2021 in comparison to $14.9 billion invested in 2020 and $8.2 billion invested in 2019.

Macro Growth Drivers

The U.S. home healthcare market has experienced unexpected growth, believing it will nearly reach $510 billion by 2027 (roughly equaling the estimated size of the outpatient market), according to various industry reports. This shows a CAGR of approximately 8% from 2020 to 2027. Several factors contribute to this rapid growth:

1. Aging population: One of the primary drivers of this growth of home healthcare is the aging population because the baby boomer generation has reached retirement age, and this significantly increases the need for healthcare services tailored to older adults, many of whom prefer receiving care from the comfort of their homes.
2. Rising chronic conditions: The prevalence of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, and respiratory illnesses increasingly requires home healthcare services, like skilled nursing and rehabilitation therapies, to get essential support to manage these conditions.
3. Technological Advancements: Innovations in telehealth and remote monitoring technologies have transformed healthcare delivery, allowing patients to receive real-time consultations and monitoring from healthcare professionals, lowering the requirement for in-person visits and enhancing the appeal of home healthcare.
4. Cost-effectiveness: Home healthcare is more cost-effective than traditional hospital care. By ensuring healthcare at home, patients can avoid expensive hospital stays, and insurance providers also increase recognition of the value of home-based care, offering incentives for its use.
5. Patient preference: There is a growing trend in patients who prefer receiving care in their own homes. It comes from comfort, familiarity, and independence, along with the recognition that home care can lead to better health outcomes.

What are some technological advancements in the home healthcare industry?

Technological advancements have significantly transformed the home healthcare industry by improving patient care and service delivery. Innovations such as remote monitoring devices, telehealth applications, and smart home technologies enhance patient engagement and safety to allow them to become independent. Some of the key technologies include:

• Remote monitoring devices: These wearable devices can track your vital signs like heart rate and blood pressure, allowing healthcare providers to monitor patient health from their clinic.
• Telehealth Adoption: Through video conferencing and messaging, patients can consult healthcare providers without traveling for appointments, lowering unnecessary hospital visits, and promoting convenience.
• Smart Home Technologies: Devices like smart medication dispensers remind patients to take their medications on schedule, while automated systems can alert family members or caregivers in case of any irregular changes in a patient’s routine or health status.

These technological solutions not only improve accessibility to healthcare services but also contribute to lower hospital readmission rates. By facilitating timely interventions, they increase overall health outcomes for patients.

Outlook

The outlook for home healthcare looks positive because it’s evolving according to consumer needs and preferences. Several factors may be expected to shape its future, including:

1. Integration of Technology: The continued integration of telehealth and artificial intelligence (AI) into home healthcare will improve delivery services and patient monitoring. Wearable devices and remote patient monitoring systems will likely become standard tools for chronic condition management at home.
2. Focus on Value-Based Care: Healthcare systems shift toward value-based care models, where home healthcare will play an essential role in managing patient outcomes and costs. Providers will increasingly be held accountable for quality care delivery at home, leading to a greater focus on patient engagement and satisfaction.
3. Expanding Services Lines: Home healthcare providers and agencies are more likely to expand their services to include mental health support, palliative care, and specialized rehabilitation services. This diversification will focus on the broader needs of patients, particularly those with complex medical conditions.
4. Enhanced Collaboration: There will be a growing focus on interdisciplinary collaboration among healthcare providers, including hospitals, primary care providers, and home health agencies. This collaboration will provide a smoother transition of care and improve overall patient outcomes.
5. Increased investment: As home health services are in demand, their value continues to escalate, and investment in the sector will grow. Venture capital and private equity firms will recognize the increasing potential of home healthcare, leading to innovation and improvements in service delivery.

The Home Healthcare industry is transforming medical homecare visits by utilizing demographic shifts, technological innovations, and the evolving healthcare landscape for cost-effective patient-based care. It will keep growing in the future by utilizing new technological innovations to improve healthcare delivery and significantly enhance patient experiences to receive care from the comfort of their homes.

To get home healthcare services for your loved ones, call our center in Brooklyn to get professional medical help. At ROADL, we are committed to fostering strong partnerships and collaborations that drive innovation and improve the healthcare experience for all. By working together, we can revolutionize the way care is delivered, making it more accessible, efficient, and effective for everyone involved. Speak with our experts at +1 (833) 762-3555 to know more about our services. Or you can walk in at 1797 Pitkin Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11212, or write us an e-mail at roc@roadlcare.com.