Telemedicine had its moment during COVID-19 — and then, in much of the world, patients went back to in-person care as soon as they could. The GCC is different. Our survey of 5,000 GCC patients conducted in mid-2024 finds that telemedicine adoption has not only held since its COVID peak, it has grown — and the unmet demand for virtual care is larger than ever.
Who is using telemedicine
Telemedicine use in the GCC is highest among patients aged 25–45, in urban areas and among expatriate workers who value the time savings of a virtual consultation. Usage drops significantly among patients over 60 — reflecting both lower digital confidence and a strong preference for in-person care among this age group.
The barriers
The most cited barrier to telemedicine use is not technology — 79% of non-users say they have the technical capability. The top barriers are: concern that the doctor won't be able to properly assess them without a physical examination (67%), uncertainty about whether their insurance covers virtual consultations (54%), and difficulty finding a reliable telemedicine provider they trust (41%).
What patients want
The most requested telemedicine feature is continuity — the ability to see the same doctor virtually that you see in person. Second is integrated records: patients want the virtual appointment to be connected to their health record, not a siloed interaction with a different platform. Both of these requirements inform the Looms telemedicine roadmap directly.