Virus drives patients to virtual doctors and buoys telemedicine

The European Commission in 2018 estimated that the global telemedicine market would reach €37bil (RM178.12bil) by 2021, with an annual growth rate of 14%. — Dreamstime/TNS

The new coronavirus that’s forcing lockdowns and roiling economies is spurring a silent revolution in the field of telemedicine.

As Covid-19 spreads across Europe, leaving new patients in its wake, the fear of infection and a saturated health-care system are driving large numbers of people online for medical consultations. Startups like General Atlantic-backed Doctolib and insurer Axa SA-supported Qare in France, Swedish Kry International AB’s unit Livi, the UK’s Push Doctor and Germany’s Compugroup Medical SE that offer up virtual doctors are raking it in.