According to a recently published report titled-Outpatient Healthcare Market in India by Praxis Global Alliance, the Indian online doctor consultation market is expected to grow at a 72% CAGR to reach $836 million by FY24.

The report highlighted that the overall outpatient healthcare market in India is likely to grow at 13% over the next three years, valued at $26 billion in FY21. It stated that the government’s push to increase electronic health record (EHR) penetration is considered a driving factor for the growing outpatient consultation market.

Speaking on the report, Sumit Goel, Managing Partner and Head – Healthcare and Pharma, Praxis Global Alliance, said in a statement.

“Outpatient market is poised for a significant overhaul driven by the adoption of online consultations as an acceptable alternative, digital enablement of clinical practices in line with NDHM, changing customer expectations, and the emergence of an organised network of tech-enabled outpatient care providers.” 

[Read: Technological And Growth Trends In The Healthtech Industry In India]

Indian Online Doctor Consultation

As per the report, the market already has reached $163 million in March 2021. It claimed one in 35 consultations would happen online by FY24, adding COVID-19-led digital disruption in the Indian healthcare market has boosted the demand for online health services. 

Shedding light on online consultations numbers during COVID-19, the report revealed that online consultations recorded 1.6% penetration by the value and 0.8% penetration by volume of total consultations till March 2021.

The report revealed:

1. In FY21, the number of doctor consultations crossed four billion in India, spending around $26 billion on outpatient prescriptions.
2. Indians do three doctor consultations in a year on average, with each consultation leading to one pharma prescription.
3. A diagnostic test is prescribed in every 3.5 consultations.

According to Praxis Global Alliance, the increased adoption of AI and ML technologies, an increasing number of doctors and hospitals, favourable healthtech regulations, and growing teleconsultation penetration are some upcoming opportunities for the outpatient consultation market in India.

Aryaman Tandon, Managing Partner and Co-founder of Praxis Global Alliance, said, 

 “The next wave of growth for online consultations would be driven by new-age technology-enabled solutions like AI and ML, which can help patients to derive better and faster care.”

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