# Expanded Care Virtual healthcare platforms are adopting urgent care services and specialties. By [Mishal Omar](https://www.trendhunter.com/MishalO) | Published Jul 17, 2023 | Category: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/lifestyle-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/expanded-care ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.1/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Expanded Care trend? **Expanded Care:** Virtual health services and care have become commonplace, but many are limited in their capabilities. Now, some businesses in healthcare are offering urgent care through their virtual platforms--with services like at-home medical dispatching and fast turnarounds for necessary prescriptions. ## The consumer insight behind the Expanded Care trend Virtual medicine has made healthcare more accessible as it saves patients time and transportation costs. It also offers opportunities for businesses and institutions in the healthcare industry--especially in expanding their reach. As hybrid (virtual and in-person) healthcare becomes the norm--particularly as online urgent care becomes more effective and expansive--these platforms have the potential to reduce the issue of overloaded hospitals with long wait times for patients. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: May 5, 2022 to Jul 11, 2023 - Published: Jul 17, 2023 - Patterns: [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Expanded Care trend ### Virtual Urgent Care Virtual healthcare platforms are adopting urgent care services and specialties. ### AI-powered Virtual Assistants Walmart Health Virtual Care will use Gyant's virtual assistant for automated patient intake and more. ### On-Demand Telemedicine Apps 'Planned Parenthood Direct' offers on-demand birth control and medicinal services. ## What the Expanded Care trend means for industry ### For Telehealth Industry The expansion of virtual urgent care services presents opportunities for telehealth platforms to enhance their offerings and reach more patients. ### For Artificial Intelligence Industry Integrating AI-powered virtual assistants into healthcare platforms can improve patient intake processes and enhance the overall patient experience. ### For Pharmaceutical Industry On-demand telemedicine apps like 'Planned Parenthood Direct' create opportunities for pharmaceutical companies to partner with digital healthcare providers and offer convenient access to birth control and other medicines. ## Workshop question How could your brand expand its virtual services to reach more demographics? ## Trend signals for Expanded Care Trend score 4.1 out of 10, from popularity 67%, activity 41%, freshness 17%. - Popularity: 67% - Activity: 41% - Freshness: 17% ## Examples of the Expanded Care trend 5 featured examples from May 5, 2022 to Jul 11, 2023. - [In-Home Urgent Care Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dispatchhealth): Emory Healthcare and DispatchHealth Partner to Improve In-Home Care (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop innovative medical devices, software, and platforms that support in-home healthcare services and telemedicine. - [Intuitive Virtual Health Advisors](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/bluedoctor-ai): Blue Healthcare's BlueDoctor AI Revolutionizes Virtual Visits (Category: Tech) Implication: BlueDoctor AI demonstrates the disruptive innovation potential within the healthcare technology industry, specifically in transforming the patient-doctor interaction. - [On-Demand Telemedicine Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/planned-parenthood-direct): 'Planned Parenthood Direct' Offers On-Demand Birthcontrol of Any Kind (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Healthcare providers can utilize telemedicine technology to expand their services, reach more patients, and improve overall healthcare outcomes. - [AI Virtual Healthcare Assistants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-health-virtual-care): Walmart Health Virtual Care Will Use Gyant's Virtual Assistant (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: As the healthcare industry continues to evolve digitally, there is a need for innovative companies to create AI-driven healthcare solutions that can transform the patient experien… - [Women's Telemedicine Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-alpha-membership): The Alpha Membership is an Ideal Non-Traditional Mother's Day Gift (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for healthcare providers to develop and promote telemedicine platforms that focus on women's health, which can provide various medical conditions treated remotely. ## Recent trend clusters - [Functional Indulgence](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/functional-indulgence1) (Lifestyle) - [Connected Companions](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/connected-companions) (Lifestyle) - [Creatine Formats](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/creatine-formats) (Lifestyle) - [Routine Compression](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/routine-compression) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Lifestyle - [Mystery Packaging Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cow-not-laughing) - [Multi-Benefit Protein Shakes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/comes-in-three-flavors) - [Creator-Led Learning Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/learning-series) - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) All articles: [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle)