Jennifer Mendoza
Research expert covering health, pharma and medtech
Telemedicine in Mexico - Statistics & Facts
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted on one of the biggest challenges faced by humanity in recent years, demanding an extraordinary level of adaptability in a time of global crisis. Less contact, remote communication, and digital tools have become the norm. For the area of health care, this has brought about a wider use of complementary practices such as telemedicine. In Mexico, the number of people who use online doctor consultations increased by an estimated 73 percent between 2019 and 2021, reaching a total of 2.53 million patients that year. Furthermore, revenue from these consultations increased by 77 percent during that period, rising from 150.14 million U.S. dollars in 2019 to 266.07 million dollars two years later.
From the side of patients, frequency of use of remote medical services also varies depending on the kind of tools adopted. As reported by an online survey that took place in 2021, while around 66 percent of respondents have had at least one remote medical consultation by telephone, only 40 percent have received medical advice via video calls. When it comes to the type of consultation, most telemedicine users choose remote services for clarification of doubts, while less than 20 percent take part in complete general medical consultations.
From telephone calls to video calls
Despite the development towards a more digital practice and frequent use of telemedicine, a not insignificant share of doctors in the country is not connected to the internet yet. According to a survey carried out among physicians in 2021, around 84 percent of doctors in Mexico use the internet for personal or professional reasons. Among those using it for activities related to their role as physicians, approximately 95 percent communicate via instant messaging, and 90 percent send and receive professional emails. However, only four in every ten of these doctors provide virtual consultations.From the side of patients, frequency of use of remote medical services also varies depending on the kind of tools adopted. As reported by an online survey that took place in 2021, while around 66 percent of respondents have had at least one remote medical consultation by telephone, only 40 percent have received medical advice via video calls. When it comes to the type of consultation, most telemedicine users choose remote services for clarification of doubts, while less than 20 percent take part in complete general medical consultations.
Opportunities and constraints within the sector
With often necessary face-to-face inspections for proper diagnosis and treatment being the main barrier for providing online consultations according to doctors in Mexico, telemedicine as adopted nowadays, will probably remain a complementary service rather than a replacement for in-person medical appointments as restrictions due to the pandemic ease off. However, the sector remains a good opportunity for offering new services and improving communication between doctors and patients in the Latin American country. Additionally, it brings up the chance to expand health care towards parts of the population where access to clinics and hospitals is restricted, and in cases in which resources and time constraints hinder a patient’s reach of medical services.
