The Covid-19 pandemic acted as a catalyst for making people more fluent in digital technology. This led to virtual healthcare becoming the model of not only a necessity but also a preference. Digital helped consultation leaders reach patients at lightning speed and technology filled the gap between patients and doctors efficiently.
The intersection of technology and healthcare rewired the patient journey, transforming the entire healthcare sector where innovative collaborators had a clear purpose focused on patients’ needs. That said, in this blog, we cover all about starting an online healthcare consultation business.
The healthcare industry is riding the wave of growth. This is due to the growing adoption of smartphones, tablets and other digital devices. Further, with the rising awareness of health issues among the public and better income, the healthcare industry is said to grow dramatically.
As per research, the global healthcare market is expected to reach $11.9 trillion by 2025 and is projected to grow by 15% by 2029. Moreover, North America is expected to dominate the market in the years to come.
The healthcare sector is moving from being provider driven to being consumer-driven where virtual healthcare is becoming a core component in helping consumers improve or maintain their health and well-being. Additionally, healthcare is moving toward a proactive “Predict and Prevent Model” where underlying causes of health problems are targeted by proactive early intervention. That said, in this section, we discuss the trends that are on the horizon of the online healthcare consultation market along with the future outlook.
As trauma-informed care, mental health has taken the spotlight over the last few years and it will only continue to grow. According to a study, 61% of adults have endured at least one traumatic event in their lives. This means that a lot of individuals among the population are suffering from the effects of trauma, thereby creating a significant need in the healthcare system.
Virtual health care makes aspects of healthcare more convenient, accessible and cost-effective. It leverages and orchestrates a platform-mediated ecosystem to create and co-create value. As technology is accelerating it will continue to push the boundaries of healthcare and create breakthroughs through virtual engagement.
Healthcare has worked on the one-size-fits-all approach for years where the same treatments were applied to different patients. It failed to take into account genetics, environment and other factors. For instance, many patients were prescribed medicines that caused new problems at the onset. This was primarily due to genetic variations. For better healthcare outcomes and increased efficiency, healthcare providers are now providing tailored care with personalized medicine rather than giving the same blanket care.
With a lot of new medical and technological advances, there is widespread interest in health and wellness too. These happen to be great incentives for entrepreneurs who are passionate about venturing into the healthcare consultation industry. In this section, we discuss the benefits of starting an online healthcare consultation business.
As we age and with changes in our lifestyle, we develop health issues that require treatment. So, for proper intervention, we require a healthcare professional. This suggests that the healthcare business is always going to be in heavy demand and is recession-proof.
With several online consultation businesses coming into the picture these days, a healthcare consultation business can be started from the comfort of your home. Just a few permissions and licenses are required with an online consultation platform and you are all set.
As mentioned above, a healthcare consultation business can be started from your home and there are no transportation costs. Hence, starting a healthcare consultation business can be a profitable business as the setup costs are much lesser than a traditional business.
Healthcare is a hands-on industry but not everyone can afford expensive treatment in big hospitals or clinics. Therefore, starting an online healthcare consultation business can be highly rewarding as you can provide individuals access to healthcare experts from all across the world at lower costs and in the proximity of their homes.
There has been a pandemic profitability windfall for entrepreneurs looking to start an online healthcare consulting business. According to research, three out of four prospects do not wish to meet with a consultant face-to-face. This indicates that the market to start an online healthcare business is ripe as the demand for virtual healthcare is on the rise. In this section, we will take a look at the steps to start an online healthcare business.
The foremost step is to check the viability of the business idea through research. To do just that, you need to have a deep understanding of the healthcare industry and whether it is feasible to start an online healthcare consulting business. Information can be collected from the market with regard to population trends, age, expenditure and any other relevant demographic information that would impact the feasibility of the project.
Further, demographics and psychographics are used by the healthcare system to define and identify patients and populations. Psychographics include emotional responses and motivations that drive consumer behaviors.
The competitive landscape in the healthcare consulting line is tough. Knowing your competitors and what they are offering, their strengths and their weaknesses can help improve the performance of your healthcare consultation business.
This is where the information gathered during market research and feasibility studies comes to play. You will be able to make headway in the industry if you have the right information. Hence, doing your due diligence before venturing into the healthcare consulting business is a must.
In general, you can choose from a general partnership, or a limited liability company (commonly known as LLC). But setting up an LLC will protect you from personal liability if anything goes wrong in the business. It is not the same for general partnerships.
The next step is to choose a catchy business name. Usually, it is expected that the name you choose for your business should be creative as it will be the identity of your business and what it represents. So, put in a good amount of thought and then decide the name of your healthcare consulting business.
An online healthcare business basically connects healthcare consultants with clients and so it can adopt several business models.
Moreover, you can have a healthcare consultation platform that incorporates all of the above-stated business models.
Online healthcare consultation is more popular than ever and an online healthcare consultation platform can be used to generate revenue. You just need to be cognizant of the multiple revenue streams available. For those who want to start an online healthcare business, mentioned below are a few revenue streams.
When we think of the new age lifestyle, the internet comes to mind. This is primarily because it is reshaping the way healthcare is delivered – addressing the costly issues of missed appointments and deferred care. Therefore, it becomes essential for healthcare professionals to bridge the gap by having a strong online presence to attract new patients, build a reputation and bend the cost curve. The best way to establish an online presence is by launching an online healthcare platform. This can be done via following two approaches of development:
Once the website is developed, embracing the marketing techniques for your online healthcare business in this networked world is pivotal. According to market research, approximately 88% of people search for information regarding healthcare online. 70% of them have reported that the information they find influences their decision about the treatment.
So, as virtual health gains momentum, you need to market your healthcare consultation business because it paves a great way to make you stay connected with current and new patients whenever they are in need. Marketing can be done via the following techniques:
FATbit Technologies is a leading software development company that was founded in 2004. By embracing agile development practices, the company has developed an online consultation software, Yo!Coach that effectively and efficiently caters to the ever-evolving needs of clients across the globe. Further, Yo!Coach is a bespoke ready-made solution that encapsulates a myriad of features that help build a competitive advantage and accelerate growth.
Key Highlights of Yo!Coach
The pandemic fundamentally altered and reimagined the roadmap to the healthcare industry. As digital ecosystems are the future of healthcare, now is the time for entrepreneurs to start their own online healthcare consultation business. For more information on how to start an online business in the healthcare space, you can contact us.
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Vibha Sharma is an accomplished senior content writer and marketer at FATbit Technologies, where she brings her passion for storytelling and digital expertise to create compelling narratives. With a Master’s Degree in Computer Applications, Vibha successfully blends creativity with technical acumen. Outside of her professional pursuits, Vibha is a voracious reader, an avid traveler, and a lifelong learner.
