ExplORer Surgical, known for its comprehensive intraoperative case support and workflow platform, announced the results of a survey of medical device leaders on how COVID-19 has impacted business and gauge the industry’s shifting perspective on digital technologies. Findings unveil significant commitment to virtual and remote case support and training, indicating the acceptance of digital tools as part of “the new normal.”  

ExplORer Surgical previously conducted a survey in May 2020 on the immediate challenges facing the industry in light of the pandemic. While there are still many unknowns about the pandemic’s long-term effects on the medical device industry, this new survey sheds light on how companies have adapted to those challenges and will continue to do so. It even offers hopeful indications on when leaders expect operations to resume to normalcy: 53% expect business to resume as normal by the end of Q2 2021.

The survey confirms the pandemic has brought on loss in the industry (54% of respondents citing significant reduction in sales force and management teams), perpetuating the need for field team members to be more efficient, along with delayed product launches (38% of respondents). The increase in ambulatory surgical center (ASC) and in-office procedures, driven by the need to free up hospital beds for COVID-19 patients, has also accelerated the necessity for medical device companies to reorganize field team responsibilities. 

Approximately nine in 10 respondents have experienced reduced access to cases for both non-sales and sales representatives, and 62% report that their training program has been significantly impacted by COVID-19.

However, despite the hardships brought on, leaders are optimistic that business will resume mid-2021 and the significant uptick in digital solutions will find a place in resumed operations: 76% have adapted to a new normal and plan to continue incorporating digital and remote solutions, such as ExplORer’s platform.

“The pandemic has turned the concept of access on its head for many industries. We’ve listened closely to the needs of the medical device industry to enable efficient remote access for training and case support,” says Jennifer Fried, CEO of ExplORer Surgical. “The forced changes have left the partners we work with in awe of digital solutions, and we aren’t surprised by the notion that these tools are here for the long haul.”This survey was completed by 34 medical device leaders in sales, marketing, and training roles.

To learn more about the survey results and ExplORer Surgical’s solutions for remote case support, visit Explorer Surgical