The recent surge in telehealth has transformed how Americans get care and how we need to staff our healthcare system. During the pandemic, virtual visits skyrocketed, and today many hospitals and clinics still rely on telemedicine as a key service. For example, Medicare data show that over 12% of seniors used telehealth in late 2023 , and experts warn the U.S. will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 by 2036. Telehealth is a “critical supporting element” to address this gap. In practical terms, telehealth lets patients connect with providers from home and stretches scarce specialist staff farther.
This shift creates new staffing needs. There are now “virtual” roles in healthcare: remote physicians, telehealth nurse practitioners, and IT support for online visits. These professionals help extend care to rural or isolated communities without local doctors . Imagine a nurse who monitors patients’ vitals via video chat or a physician consulting on a case from miles away, such roles improve access and can ease the load on busy hospitals. To make telehealth work, hospitals also need tech-savvy staff and flexible scheduling. The American Hospital Association notes that expanding the telehealth workforce is a “force multiplier”, it significantly increases care access in areas with staffing shortages .
How to meet telehealth staffing needs:
- Hire remote-trained staff: Recruit nurses and clinicians who are comfortable with digital tools and virtual patient care.
- Bridge licensure gaps: Support policies that let providers see patients across state lines, so staffing agencies can match talent to need nationwide.
- Provide ongoing training: Offer programs so existing staff can shift to virtual care roles (for example, training RNs as telehealth coordinators or virtual care nurses).
BQ Services is ready for this new frontier. We recruit registered nurses and allied professionals for both in-person and telehealth roles. For example, BQ Services can supply remote nursing professionals who conduct patient follow-ups and health education by teleconference, and we help credential our staff for cross-state telemedicine programs. By tapping into a broader pool of clinicians, from Maryland and beyond, we enable healthcare facilities to expand their virtual care safely and reliably. With innovation and compassion, BQ Services partners with providers to ensure staffing keeps pace with the telehealth revolution, so no patient or community is left without care
