Survey: Customers choose telehealth over in-person visits for routine, psychological healthcare

The J.D. Energy 2022 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Research launched right this moment reveals a stark enhance in customers preferring telehealth visits over in-person appointments for a broad vary of routine care.

The research finds that 67% of survey respondents relayed they’ve accessed video telehealth providers in the course of the previous 12 months. Earlier than the pandemic in 2019, that quantity was 37%.

Amongst those that used telehealth up to now 12 months, 80% acknowledged they like utilizing telehealth for prescription refills, 72% for reviewing treatment choices, 71% for discussing check outcomes and 57% for normal psychological well being visits.

Moreover, 94% of telehealth customers mentioned they “undoubtedly will” or “in all probability will” make the most of telehealth to acquire medical providers sooner or later. 

The highest causes for telehealth use had been comfort (61%), the flexibility to obtain care shortly (49%) and ease of entry to well being data (28%).

“Telehealth and digital applied sciences are remodeling how sufferers search and obtain healthcare,” Christopher Lis, managing director of worldwide healthcare intelligence at J.D. Energy, mentioned in an announcement. “Telehealth has the potential to extend entry, comfort, care coordination and continuity, enhance outcomes and fill in gaps in supplier protection, notably in underserved areas. As know-how adoption and client demand proceed to extend, it will likely be vital to maintain evaluating what’s working effectively and which areas want enchancment, with the goal being to enhance equitable entry, high quality of care and affected person outcomes that complement in-person care.”

THE LARGER TREND

Telemedicine surged in the course of the pandemic and allowed sufferers to go to healthcare suppliers when social distancing was crucial. Now that the pandemic has slowed, telemedicine has remained part of sufferers’ experiences, particularly in comparison with pre-pandemic occasions.

Nonetheless, some research have proven some downsides to telehealth use. In response to a research printed in JMIR in July, telehealth could enhance after-hours EHR-based medical and administrative work. Nonetheless, many clinicians relay that treating sufferers in virtual-only or hybrid care settings most closely fits their way of life.