Key Takeaways
- Telemedicine market is projected to grow from $96.5B in 2020 to $396.76B by 2027
- 15% of patients are now “Phygital Patients” who seamlessly blend digital and physical healthcare interactions
- 72% of Phygital Patients believe AI can help doctors make better diagnoses
- 65% of Phygital Patients prioritize mental health care, driving growth in virtual therapy platforms
- 60% of Phygital Patients use digital solutions for chronic disease management
- Despite digital preferences, 71% of all patients believe only medical professionals should make final diagnoses
Is Your HealthTech Product Built for Success in Digital Health?
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Meet the "phygital" (physical+digital) patient. No, it's not a new sci-fi term—it's the 15% of people who are quietly redefining what modern healthcare looks like today.
Our latest research maps out how this blend of digital tools and traditional care sparked telemedicine's transformation: from a $96.5B pandemic necessity to a projected $396.76B cornerstone of healthcare by 2027. Read on to discover how AI adoption, patient preferences, and emerging technologies are reshaping healthcare delivery!
The scale of telemedicine transformation
The numbers paint a compelling picture of healthcare’s digital revolution. The telemedicine market’s growth from $96.5 billion in 2020 to a projected $396.76 billion by 2027 represents more than just impressive statistics. This dramatic surge reflects a fundamental shift in healthcare delivery. Pre-pandemic adoption rates hovered around 8%, but by 2022, this figure had skyrocketed past 40%, marking one of the fastest adoption rates of any healthcare innovation in recent history.
The rise of the phygital patient
Amid this digital transformation, a new category of healthcare consumer has emerged. Deloitte researchers have identified these as “Phygital Patients”—individuals who seamlessly blend physical and digital healthcare interactions. Representing approximately 15% of the population, these patients are actively reshaping healthcare expectations. Research demonstrates they’re more than twice as likely to embrace digital health solutions and significantly more inclined to use healthcare apps for managing chronic conditions.
Evolution of patient preferences
The shift in healthcare preferences reveals a fascinating transformation from necessity-driven adoption to genuine preference. Several key factors drive this evolution:
- Convenience stands as the primary motivator—41% of patients cite convenient access to healthcare professionals as their main reason for choosing virtual care
- Time efficiency proves crucial—patients save approximately 100 minutes per visit through telemedicine
- Integration of digital tools shows growing importance—51% of Phygital Patients prefer healthcare apps that combine multiple functionalities
Yet this evolution varies significantly across different medical services. While 39% of Phygital Patients prefer virtual consultations for routine follow-ups, 65% maintain a preference for in-person visits during initial diagnoses and complex conditions.
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The mental health revolution
Mental healthcare delivery stands out as one of the most dramatically transformed sectors in the healthcare landscape. Current data highlights several significant trends:
- 65% of Phygital Patients prioritize mental health, showing 1.6x higher engagement than Traditional Patients
- Virtual mental health consultations consistently achieve patient satisfaction scores above 90%
- Initial consultation wait times have reduced dramatically from weeks to days
The data reveals a holistic approach to mental wellness among Phygital Patients:
- 91% prioritize maintaining meaningful relationships
- 79% actively make time for relaxation
- 46% pursue stress-reduction lifestyle choices
Virtual mental health services have effectively eliminated geographical barriers and reduced stigma, opening access to mental healthcare for previously underserved populations.
AI: The next frontier in telemedicine
Artificial intelligence represents the next transformative wave in telemedicine’s evolution. The statistics prove compelling: 72% of Phygital Patients believe that AI-assisted diagnoses improve healthcare outcomes. This technology reshapes telemedicine across multiple dimensions:
Intelligent triage and pre-screening
Modern AI systems now transform pre-consultation processes, efficiently gathering patient information and assessing symptoms to determine appropriate care levels. Emergency departments utilizing AI algorithms for real-time patient data analysis report significant improvements in triage efficiency.
Enhanced diagnostic support
AI tools increasingly augment healthcare providers’ capabilities during virtual consultations by analyzing patient data and suggesting potential diagnoses. Approximately 45% of Phygital Patients express comfort with AI-powered medical data analysis.
Personalized care recommendations
The shift toward proactive healthcare represents one of AI’s most significant contributions to telemedicine. These systems now analyze patterns across multiple data sources to predict potential health issues before they become severe.
The future of integrated care
The telemedicine landscape of 2025 will extend far beyond basic video consultations. Nearly half of Phygital Patients express interest in wearable integration, suggesting continuous health monitoring will become standard practice. However, research indicates that even the most digitally-engaged patients maintain a preference for in-person care during complex diagnoses, with 61% expressing this preference.
The path forward
As we navigate 2025, it's clear that telemedicine is no longer just an alternative—it's an integral part of healthcare's future. Success lies not in simply adding digital options, but in fundamentally reimagining healthcare delivery for an increasingly connected world. Organizations that thrive will be those that understand and embrace this transformation while maintaining the delicate balance between digital innovation and human-centered care.
Need help getting started? Focus on one area at a time. Measure your current drop-off points. Make targeted improvements. And always, always ask your patients for feedback. They're your best consultants for creating a virtual care experience that sticks.
Should you need any assistance with that, contact us and schedule a consultation - we'd be glad to help!
Frequently Asked Questions
Phygital telemedicine combines physical and digital healthcare into seamless, hybrid experiences. It connects in-person clinical care with digital health solutions like telemedicine apps, remote patient monitoring, and AI-driven virtual consultations. In 2025, this phygital shift is redefining how patients access care, blending real-world visits with digital convenience.
Phygital healthcare experiences improve patient engagement, care continuity, and accessibility. Patients now expect telemedicine platforms that integrate virtual visits, AI triage, real-time monitoring, and in-person follow-ups. Momentum helps healthcare companies develop next-generation telemedicine apps that deliver these hybrid, patient-centered experiences.
AI is accelerating the phygital revolution by enhancing virtual care delivery, clinical decision support, diagnostic accuracy, and patient monitoring. Momentum specializes in building AI-powered telemedicine platforms that integrate intelligent triage, automated pre-screening, and real-time health data analysis for safer, faster, and more efficient patient care.
Patients using phygital telemedicine benefit from faster access to care, reduced wait times, time savings of over 100 minutes per visit, and improved satisfaction—especially in virtual mental health services. Momentum designs telemedicine apps that prioritize convenience, accessibility, and seamless transitions between digital and physical care.
Phygital Patients are a growing segment of people who combine clinic visits with digital health tools. They are more than twice as likely to use health apps, telehealth platforms, wearable devices, and AI-supported care pathways. Momentum helps healthcare providers and startups develop phygital-ready telemedicine solutions that meet these expectations.
Healthcare companies need to build scalable, secure, and patient-friendly telemedicine apps that support hybrid care. Momentum guides teams through healthcare app development, AI implementation, and telemedicine integration to help them succeed in the phygital healthcare landscape.
Yes, wearable devices are becoming essential in phygital healthcare. They enable continuous patient monitoring and seamless data sharing with telemedicine platforms. Momentum specializes in integrating wearable device data into telehealth apps, supporting real-time insights and improving care quality.
While digital care is growing, about 65% of patients still prefer face-to-face consultations for complex diagnoses or initial visits. Momentum’s telemedicine solutions are designed to complement—not replace—physical care, enabling healthcare providers to deliver fully connected phygital experiences.
Momentum is a digital health agency specializing in custom telemedicine app development, AI-powered healthcare platforms, and hybrid care solutions. We partner with healthcare startups and organizations to build phygital-ready apps that combine security, scalability, and exceptional user experience.
Let's Create the Future of Health Together
Looking for a partner who not only understands your challenges but anticipates your future needs? Get in touch, and let’s build something extraordinary in the world of digital health.
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