In a recent revelation ahead of World Health Day, Practo, a leading digital healthcare platform, has unveiled significant insights shedding light on the shifting trends in patient behavior and doctor accessibility towards online consultations since the onset of the pandemic. The findings underscore a remarkable fourfold increase in online consultations on its platform since the advent of the pandemic in 2019, reaching a staggering 2.4 million consultations in 2023.

Delving deeper into this trend, the data showcases that tier 1 cities are at the forefront, constituting a substantial 72 percent of online consultations, marking a striking sixfold growth since 2019. Tier 2 cities contribute 12 percent, while the rest of India contributes 16 percent to the surge in online consultations.

An intriguing aspect of this surge is the preference shift towards video consultations, which has witnessed a dramatic rise from a mere 20 percent in 2019 to a whopping 90 percent in 2023. Moreover, patients are not only embracing online consultations more frequently but are also displaying a heightened focus on their health, as evidenced by the increase in the average number of consultations per user per year, rising from 2.0 in 2019 to 3.2 in 2023.

As patients embrace digital health, there is a parallel trend of actively seeking consultations with experienced doctors. Appointments with doctors boasting over 15 years of experience have surged from 53 percent in 2017 to a remarkable 77 percent in 2023. Furthermore, the top specialties witnessing maximum consultations include General Physician, Dermatology, Gynaecology, Pediatrics, and Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT).

Among the emerging specialties experiencing significant growth from 2019 to 2023 are Eye & Vision, witnessing consultations soar by over 1332 percent, Pediatrics with a surge of 1203 percent, and Orthopaedics witnessing an 896 percent increase in consultations.

Commenting on the rise in digital healthcare, Dr. Alexander Kuruvilla, Chief Health Strategy Officer at Practo, highlighted, "With the increasing penetration of smartphones and declining data prices, digital platforms have become instrumental in bridging existing gaps in the healthcare ecosystem." He emphasized the growing acceptance for online consultations from both patients and healthcare professionals.

Echoing similar sentiments, Dr. Manoj A G, a Consultant Physician on Practo, noted, "Over the years, I have witnessed a significant acceptance for online consultations by patients." He emphasized the surge in online consultations as a reflection of the growing confidence in the quality of telemedicine, citing its easy accessibility for urgent healthcare needs.

Overall, this surge in consultations is attributed to the enhanced accessibility of doctors across the nation. Practo's insights indicate a 44 percent expansion of its network since 2019, covering a wide range of 4500+ pin codes.

In conclusion, the data unveiled by Practo underscores a paradigm shift towards digital healthcare, indicating a broader acceptance of technology in healthcare, ultimately enhancing patient experiences and outcomes.