Explore the World of Telehealth: Filipino Nurses Serving US Patients Remotely
TL/DR –
Hospitals in the US and globally are increasingly using low-paid telehealth workers from the Philippines due to a massive shortage of nearly 80,000 registered nurses in the US. These workers, of which there are approximately 210,000, simply need a medical degree of any kind to qualify for the role, with about 30% being trained nurses or other medical professionals. This trend is causing a shortage of trained healthcare professionals in the Philippines, as telehealth companies are courting these workers to fulfill the care needs of patients in the US.
US Hospitals Rely on Remote Filipino Nurses Amid Shortage
The modern practice of healthcare is changing, and it’s possible that your next hospital nurse could be telecommuting from halfway across the globe. A rising number of hospitals in the US and around the world are turning to low-cost telehealth workers from the Philippines to supplement their staff. As with remote driving and AI data labeling, the Philippines is an emerging source of cost-effective labor for multinational healthcare firms, exploiting the poverty-stricken conditions of the country.
The Growth of Telehealth in the Philippines
A comprehensive report by Rest of World revealed the lives of some of the 210,000 Filipino workers in the remote healthcare sector. This new remote workforce helps to compensate for the shortfall of nearly 80,000 nurses in the US.
One of these telehealth workers, Alice, a licensed nurse from Quezon City, Philippines, now provides virtual mental health and substance abuse solutions to patients in the US. She earns five times more than her previous local hospital job. “We have this virtual clinic that functions like a lobby where patients check in,” Alice shared.
What’s Required for Telehealth Jobs?
To serve US patients remotely, a telehealth recruit from the Philippines simply needs a medical degree of any kind. Rest of World reports that nearly 30% of these workers are trained nurses or other medical professionals.
The Impact on Local Healthcare
Meanwhile, the Philippines grapples with a growing shortage of healthcare professionals. As telehealth companies lure remaining healthcare workers, local hospitals are left understaffed and overworked. According to Nico Uba from Filipino Nurses United, “If they can’t go abroad, remote nursing is the next best thing because local wages are so low.”
The Hidden Cost of Remote Healthcare
These healthcare companies harness the desperation of low-paid Filipino workers and overworked American healthcare professionals. JL Botor, president of the Healthcare Information Management Association of the Philippines, admitted that US hospitals could save up to 70% on overhead costs by hiring Filipino workers.
Ultimately, the Philippines is seen as a “clinical process outsourcing powerhouse” and “a premier global hub for supporting overstressed international healthcare systems.”
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