Virtualists are healthcare professionals who spend all or nearly all their time caring for patients through virtual modalities, including video-audio appointments, telephonic assessments, and asynchronous messaging. They are often part of a larger hybrid care model that helps provide a more holistic care experience for patients.

While the idea of virtualists has been around for almost a decade, the COVID-19 pandemic greatly accelerated the adoption of telehealth and, as a result, the need for virtualists.¹ The rapid shift to telehealth during the pandemic allowed patients and clinicians to test the convenience and efficacy of telehealth. In the aftermath of the pandemic, clinicians are also looking for more flexibility in their work and, as a result, they are more open to telehealth. The American Medical Association found that the clinician adoption of telehealth nearly tripled from 2019 to 2022, and their enthusiasm for telehealth visits has increased more than any other digital health tool.²

The telehealth market in the U.S. has experienced significant growth, with a market size of $5.6 billion in 2022 and projected to reach $76.31 billion by 2032.³