Health care’s future is hybrid care and forward-thinking executives are leveraging this transformation for sustainable growth. Hybrid care isn’t just about offering virtual options, it’s about strategically optimizing care delivery to ensure patients receive the right treatment, from the right clinician, in the right place, at the right time. Consider these transformative market indicators:
Unprecedented and sustained adoption
Virtual care has evolved from the emergency response of 2020 when telehealth usage surged by 766% to now. As of early 2024, over 54% of Americans engaged in telehealth, including 43.3% of adults aged 65 and over.
Provider commitment
In 2019, global online doctor consultations reached 57 million users. In 2024, that number was 116 million, suggesting a fundamental shift in care delivery.
Market momentum
The global digital health market was valued at USD 288.55 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 946.04 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 22.2%—reflecting unprecedented investment in technologies that enable more strategic care delivery.
These statistics represent more than market trends. They reflect the fundamental evolution in how the health care industry is approaching care delivery optimization and long-term strategic planning.
What is hybrid health care?
Hybrid health care combines the clinical excellence of in-person care with the accessibility and efficiency of virtual delivery. Rather than viewing telemedicine and in-person care as competing modalities, successful health systems integrate them strategically to optimize patient outcomes while managing operational pressures.
This approach relies on technology for video conferencing, patient monitoring, appointment scheduling, and follow-up. Depending on clinical needs and patient circumstances, clinicians can deliver care remotely, face-to-face, or through coordinated hybrid protocols.
Patients are embracing digital health
The shift toward hybrid care reflects evolving patient expectations that align with executive strategic objectives. Patients now expect health care organizations to offer strategically designed care options.
The strategic implications are significant: organizations that can effectively integrate virtual and in-person care create competitive differentiation while meeting patient expectations for convenience and accessibility.
Additionally, hybrid care addresses critical access challenges that impact market positioning. The physician shortage particularly affects rural and underserved communities. Hybrid models enable health systems to extend specialist expertise and routine care into these locations.
Strategic integration: Precise care delivery in every encounter
The most successful hybrid care implementations focus on strategic care optimization rather than technology deployment. When executed to solve patient and clinician needs, hybrid care models deliver measurable benefits that directly support improved patient experiences and long-term organizational sustainability.
Expands the reach of specialized care
The hybrid care model erases time constraints, enables 24/7 access, and ensures contact with trained specialists, including hospitalists and intensivists, regardless of location. That’s particularly true for rural communities where access to care is limited and with homebound patients who cannot travel.
Optimizes facility utilization
Hospitalization is costly, particularly when taking rising inpatient costs into account. Hospital-at-home opportunities increase inpatient capacity and economic efficiency while improving outcomes and patient satisfaction.
Reduces wait times
Virtual triage reduces door-to-provider times and improves ED throughput. Patients receive needed care rather than sitting in waiting rooms for prolonged periods. Hybrid care also enables more strategic staffing models. Telemedicine services allow for optimized staffing that supports surge capacity to maintain operational flexibility.
Enhances care coordination and transitions
When communications and technology are integrated into the clinical workflow, you can improve care transitions and reduce gaps that can lead to avoidable readmissions and complications.
Expands the reach of specialized care
The hybrid care model erases time constraints, enables 24/7 access, and ensures contact with trained specialists, including hospitalists and intensivists, regardless of location. That’s particularly true for rural communities where access to care is limited and with homebound patients who cannot travel.
Forward-thinking strategies for strategic transformation
The most successful health systems are those that view hybrid care as an operational tool for strategic transformation rather than simply a technology implementation. The most successful implementations are those that:
- Focus on patient outcomes and experience rather than technology adoption
- Align hybrid care initiatives with strategic objectives
- Create measurable value for both patients and the organization
- Build competitive differentiation through innovative care delivery
- Support long-term sustainability through improved operational efficiency
The future of health care is hybrid. Leading organizations understand that sustainable growth requires strategic innovation in care delivery. Hybrid care isn’t simply about offering virtual options—it’s about creating care models that ensure patients receive the right treatment, from the right clinician, in the right place, at the right time.
The transformation is accelerating. Don’t let your organization fall behind. Connect with the SCP Health team to explore how our hybrid care experience and capabilities could benefit your patients, your clinicians, and your community.
