Online medical consultations in tier 2 & 3 cities grew by 87 per cent in 2022: Healthscape

Gastroenterology and ENT were the most consulted specialties in India online appointments by women grew over 65 per cent in 2022 as compared to 2021

The last two years have seen a rapid increase in online doctor consultations. Telemedicine has given patients more accessible access to primary health care. As per Lybrate, online consultations have jumped by 87 per cent in tier-2 and tier-3 cities like Jaipur, Ahmedabad, and Lucknow whereas Metros witnessed a 75 per cent increase in the same time period. The study also found that more women are now opting for online consultations. Online appointments by women grew over 65 per cent in 2022 as compared to 2021.

The most consulted specialties include Gastroenterology and ENT, which grew by over 150 per cent followed by dermatology and internal medicine which grew by 125 per cent, psychiatry and paediatrics (110 per cent) and Gynaecology consultations grew by 100 per cent in 2022.

Young adults under 25 are more curious about sexual health-related guidance by posting queries on the platform, such as masturbation addiction, STDs, pregnancy and PCOS.

The data also revealed that people between 25 to 45 years majorly book consultations for their kids or issues related to sexual or mental health. Those above 45 years primarily seek consultations on chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, post-COVID-19 complications and thyroid-related ailments.

Some of the highest searched keywords among men across age groups were Masturbation Addiction, Penile enlargement and Erectile Dysfunction. Meanwhile, PCOS, healthy pregnancy and irregular periods were the highest searched keywords among women across India.

The data has been collated from the 111 million interactions that happened between users and doctors on the Lybrate platform in 2022.