We’ve Got a New Way for Telehealth Patients to Easily Connect to Care

Ron Emerson, Global Healthcare Lead, Zoom

With our new mobile browser client, patients can now join telehealth appointments in a secure setting without downloading the Zoom app

Telehealth has been an integral part of delivering care to patients during the pandemic, and will continue to play a key role in how patients seek care in the future. A Qualtrics study commissioned by Zoom showed that 72% of U.S. patients, if given the choice, would prefer to access healthcare through a combination of in-person and virtual appointments.

With the demand for telehealth showing no signs of slowing, we believe it’s crucial to provide a simple, frictionless, and secure experience for everyone involved — from provider to patient.

Our new iOS mobile browser client beta release, available on the Zoom for Healthcare platform, makes it even easier for patients on Apple devices to connect with their providers over Zoom. Patients can join telehealth appointments directly from their mobile browser in a secure setting with a simplified user interface, without downloading an app.

Here’s why that matters and how you can join the beta to test out this new feature.

A quicker way to get connected to care

Everyone needs healthcare, but not everyone uses technology all the time. Some patients unfamiliar with how to download an app may have to spend time on the phone with their doctor’s office to get assistance — which isn’t very convenient if you’re sick and trying to access care. Others may only use Zoom to connect with their doctor once or twice a year, and may not want to download an app for that.

With the new mobile browser client, patients will now be able to receive a Zoom meeting link from their provider via email or text. When it’s time for their appointment, all patients need to do is click the link and follow the prompts to launch the meeting in their mobile browser.

For patients who want to access telehealth without using their mobile device, we offer the option to join Zoom meetings directly from a web browser. Patients can simply click the link and follow the prompts on their desktop or laptop computer to join a telehealth session in their web browser.

5 benefits for providers

Offering more ways for people to access care doesn’t just improve the patient experience, it also makes things easier for providers! Here’s how:

1. With a more streamlined mobile experience, patients won’t need help downloading an app — so providers and IT professionals will spend less time playing tech support.
2. Patients using the mobile browser will have a simplified user interface that’s easy to use and reduces distractions. However, providers will still get all the benefits of the Zoom app experience, like full meeting host controls and virtual backgrounds.
3. The mobile browser client gives patients even greater mobility and flexibility to join their appointment from anywhere — at work, in their car, or wherever it makes sense for them.
4. Our web browser client, which is already available, offers another option for patients to access Zoom telehealth sessions without downloading any software.
5. With our extended scheduling feature, an administrator or receptionist can schedule appointments on behalf of a provider, simulating a traditional clinical workflow.

Upcoming features

The mobile browser client is available in beta for providers and patients to start using for iOS, with later plans to roll out to additional operating systems. We’ve also got a few features in the works that will allow providers to enhance and customize the experience even more:

• Providers will soon have the ability to send a Zoom meeting link to patients by email or text message without exposing the email address or phone number of the web scheduler.
• We’re working on enhancements to the virtual Waiting Room that will allow providers in a Zoom session to:
  • Send chat messages to patients in the Waiting Room, greeting them, offering instructions, and letting them know they’re in the right place.
  • Set a pre-recorded video to play while patients are in the Waiting Room, welcoming patients and familiarizing them with the virtual office.

We’re excited to improve the telehealth experience for both providers and patients by making it easier and more convenient to access virtual care. Talk to your Zoom account executive about joining the iOS mobile browser client beta to gain early access to this new feature.

See how Zoom is preparing for the hybrid healthcare future and check out our blog for more on how healthcare customers are using Zoom.