Increased Demand for Video Consultations in Health Insurance Sector - Telemedicine surges in popularity: Remote consultations becoming increasingly preferred over traditional office visits
In a significant shift towards digital healthcare, the Rhineland-Palatinate state office of Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) has reported a surge in video appointments in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025.
According to Joern Simon, head of the TK state office, 37,000 TK insured individuals were treated via video appointments in 2024, surpassing the previous peak in 2021, which was 33,000. This trend continued into the first quarter of 2025, although specific numbers for this period are not yet available.
General medicine, general internal medicine, and psychological psychotherapy collectively accounted for 77.3 percent of video appointments in the first quarter of 2025. This represents roughly half of Rhineland-Palatinate's contract psychotherapists and around ten percent of physicians.
Dr. Simon emphasised the benefits of video appointments, particularly in regions where medical practices are not nearby, as they can help avoid long travel times or waiting for appointments. He also stated that video appointments can be useful for addressing health issues such as minor colds or stomach upsets.
In 2024, general medicine had the largest share of video appointments conducted, while in the first quarter of 2025, general medicine, general internal medicine, and psychological psychotherapy each had a proportion of approximately 38.4 percent, 19.6 percent, and 19.3 percent, respectively.
The increase in video appointments in Rhineland-Palatinate, particularly in general medicine, was a notable trend in 2024. However, precise data on the increase in video appointments for TK insured individuals over the years, or current statistics for 2025, were not readily available in the search results provided.
For up-to-date and precise information, it is recommended to contact TK directly or check their official communications and press releases. Additionally, regional health authorities or local government websites might provide some insights into health care trends in Rhineland-Palatinate.
Vocational training can be integrated into the community policy to prepare individuals for digital healthcare roles, such as managing video appointments or telemedicine support, given the significant increase in video appointments in 2024 and the first quarter of 2025. As science advances, health-and-wellness could also benefits from innovations in vocational training programs focused on digital healthcare.
