We are running more to doctors’ clinics now than ever before. Visits to doctor clinics increased to 3.2 times a year in 2018, pointing to a rise in lifestyle ailments in the country — up from 2.7 times in the previous year.This is, however, substantially lower than in the US, where patients visit doctors a little over 4 times a year or even in the UK where the visits are 5 times a year. People in Japan, on the other hand, visited clinics the most — 13 times a year. The survey shows one in six Indians visited doctor over five times a year in 2018 as against one in seven in the previous year.The nearly 20% jump in clinic visits by Indians is largely on track with growth in sale of medicines and overall healthcare. The first-ever mapping of national healthcare trends on doctor visits of 13 crore Indian patients indicates most visits were to gynecologists, dermatologists and pediatricians — clearly exhibiting that women and children issues garner more attention in households, along with skin issues.Also, Bangalore topped with 4.8 visits a year, while Mumbai and Delhi had the least, with 3.9 and 3.8 times, respectively. This comes as the first such national survey with insights and trends.The survey by digital healthcare platform, Practo , shared exclusively with TOI, was compiled from data of searches and appointments of over 13 crore patients across 50 cities and 250 specialities.The data says four out of 10 medicines ordered on the platform were to treat Vitamin D and calcium deficiencies , while two were for diabetes. Search volume for drugs prescribed for Vitamin D deficiency and osteoporosis increased by 127% and 114%, respectively from 2017- 2019, while there was a 84% growth in diagnostic tests for Vitamin D, and 76% increase in calcium tests over 2017.Further, in an indication of growing calcium deficiency levels, Bangalore ordered calcium medicine, Shelcal, the most. While in Mumbai, it seems patients suffer from heart diseases more, hence Ecosprin (a blood thinner) is ordered the most. Residents of Delhi picked up Refresh Tears drops for eye discomfort and dry eyes.The search volume for drugs prescribed for diabetes also show an increasing trend of 39% between 2017 to 2019, pointing towards an increase in the number of diabetics. Anoop Misra, chairman of Fortis Centre for diabetes, metabolic diseases and endocrinology , said, “With rapid increase in diabetes, and no deceleration in sight, sales of anti-diabetic drugs will increase further and exponentially.”Main factors driving the increase in clinic visits are greater awareness about diseases, increased accessibility (ability to get in touch with doctors at the touch of a button), and growth in lifestyle diseases like diabetes and obesity . “The sharp increase in number of physical doctor visits per patient as well as the dramatic growth in online consultations from metro and non-metro areas validates our belief that a simpler experience improves access,” says Practo VP marketing Varun Dubey.The other top concerns across the country were mental and sexual health, the latter particularly for teleconsult users in Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. Further, around 70% of all sexual health consultation requests came from patients under 30 years. Also, a huge 82% growth was witnessed in appointments with psychologists, psychiatrists and psychotherapists in tier 2 cities for depression, stress, de-addiction and anger management.With 65% of its population below the age of 35, India at a median age of 29 years, is using digital technology to get in touch with doctors, using both online and offline channels, the survey says. As India ages over the coming years, this number will goup further.