Could Direct-to-Consumer Virtual Care Positively Impact Populations?
Regular access to affordable, preventive and treatment-based healthcare is already a significant challenge for many individuals in the US. Indeed, the CDC’s Office of Policy, Performance and Evaluation calls this the US health disadvantage, stating that “Americans pay too much for healthcare and lack adequate access to healthcare.”
How could direct-to-consumer virtual care be one solution for positively impacting some patient populations? Let’s take a look at some potential advantages from the patient perspective:
Using your mobile device or laptop to access healthcare can reduce the barriers to entry
For example, the convenience factor of no travel to-and-from telehealth visits may make patients more likely to seek medical care sooner
Additionally, patients may be able to book an appointment right away, rather than taking off work or coordinating logistics behind the scenes
Specific companies and brands specialize in treating certain diseases or conditions, making access to specialists a bit more seamless and straightforward
Collaboration between digital medicine companies, healthcare systems and wearable data could provide a more holistic view of a person’s health status
In a subscription-based model, patients may have more regular access to a healthcare provider than they would otherwise seek out
Of course, the potential ‘pro’s’ listed above are met with several huge considerations and open questions, from logistics of coordinating patient care to whether or not losing in-person visit frequency, or potential fragmentation of care, negatively impacts patient outcomes. Several companies have worked hard to pave the way, staying true to the health-based needs of patients, while also growing massive subscription-based businesses.
Take Join Sequence as one example. As a comprehensive obesity medicine company that was recently acquired by Weight Watchers, Sequence is solving two problems - access to comprehensive obesity management and quality of care. Join Sequence members receive obesity-based diagnoses, treatment and support through digital health visits, online learning content, patient support groups, and access to WW’s behavior change systems. Given their dedication to an evidence-based approach, Join Sequence also provides members with access to both registered dietitians and exercise physiologists to help establish nutrient-dense eating patterns and exercise regimens that maintain lean mass during weight loss, respectively. Their science communication efforts to share and contribute to the growing body of peer-reviewed evidence in obesity management is something to keep an eye on, too.
Yet another interesting example is Hims & Hers, a digital health company founded to solve a health access problem for men with erectile dysfunction, who recently expanded to tackle cardiovascular disease with Heart Health by Hims. Identifying that about 30% of their patient base was impacted by cardiovascular disease (a leading cause of death in the US), the company worked with Labcorp to innovate and combine statins with their erectile dysfunction medication. This creative solution meets patients where they are to offer more holistic treatment digitally. Additionally, Hims & Hers members have ongoing access to online learning content from the American College of Cardiology about lifestyle choices, behavior change and cardiovascular health.
As the digital medicine space continues to explode and commercialize, policy makers, practitioners, and industry leaders must collaborate to propel the development and application of best-in-class digital health tools forward with patients in mind. After all, many Americans continue to seek better quality of life in their years, and regular, accessible medical care can help support this desire.