In "Virtual Care," part of the organization's ThoughtCAST digital event series, thought leaders discussed how the rapid shift to virtual care in response to COVID-19 has increased the adoption of telehealth, decreased exposure to risk, and preserved personal protective equipment. Since March, telephone and video telehealth appointments have accounted for 80% of all outpatient care visits, whereas only 15% of visits were telehealth prior to the pandemic.

“We have the opportunity to reexamine all of our prior assumptions, all of our prior care delivery models, and turn them on their head, because we have the opportunity to apply technology and digital tools in new ways to meet patients where they are, not where we are,” said Bill Marsh, vice president, care delivery information technology for The Permanente Federation.

Read more and watch a recording of the panel discussion on Kaiser Permanente's website.