Physicianswho currently reside in highly populated metropolitan areas areengaging the most with telemedicine job opportunities. (Photo:Shutterstock)

More doctors are engaging in telemedicine, particularly in largemetropolitan areas, according to the 2019 Telemedicine and Locum Tenens OpportunitiesStudy by Doximity, an online professional medical network.

The first study to analyze U.S. physician interest in telemedicine jobs,Doximity found that the number of physicians who self-reportedtelemedicine “as a skill” doubled from 2015 to 2018, and continuesto increase by about 20 percent each year.

“Our research shows that doctors are embracing telemedicine asan alternative to traditional clinical practices, which is goodnews for patients,” says Dr. Amit Phull, Doximity's vice presidentof strategy and insights.

Related: Rapid telemedicine growth signifies need foraccreditation

“By removing physical limitations, physicians can now expandtheir patient-base to rural areas that are currently underserved bydifferent specialties,” Phull says. However, study found thatphysicians who currently reside in highly populated metropolitanareas are engaging the most with telemedicine jobopportunities.

San Diego the topped the list of U.S. metros that had thehighest number of physicians expressing interest in telemedicine.The other top metros are Miami, Atlanta, New York City, Salt LakeCity, San Francisco, Orlando, Los Angeles, Jacksonville andTampa.

“If you start to view the physician shortage as a problem of where thedoctors are located, which is mainly in the major metros, it's easyto see how more telemedicine can help address this seriouschallenge,” Phull says.

When looking at specialists who are most interested intelemedicine opportunities, the top 15 specialty fields areradiology, psychiatry, internal medicine, neurology, familymedicine, dermatology, pediatrics, emergency medicine, geriatrics,allergy and immunology, endocrinology, infectious disease, urology,pediatric pulmonology and occupational medicine.

Perhaps not surprisingly, the top 15 specialties least engagedwith telemedicine job postings are anesthesiology, general surgery,orthopedic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, oncology, physicalmedicine/rehab, gastroenterology, otolaryngology (ENT), cardiology,plastic surgery, nephrology, neurosurgery, pulmonology, pediatriccardiology and pathology.

The data showed that female physicians are 10 percent moreinterested in telemedicine job opportunities, relative to theirmale counterparts. When looking at age, physicians across all agegroups shared nearly equal interest in telemedicine.

The study used data from Doximity on engagement with jobpostings on the Doximity professional medical network. Engagementis defined as a physician taking action in response to a jobposting either by clicking on a posting to “see more,” submitting aresume or scheduling an input call.

Doximity also found a rise in interest in locum tenenswork, which is a temporary physician employment opportunity that isconsidered part-time. “Both locum tenens work and telemedicineprovide patients with increased access to care across the country,”the study concludes.

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