The J.D. Energy 2022 U.S. Telehealth Satisfaction Research launched in the present day exhibits a stark enhance in shoppers preferring telehealth visits over in-person appointments for a broad vary of routine care.
The examine finds that 67% of survey respondents relayed they’ve accessed video telehealth companies through 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 remedy choices, 71% for discussing check outcomes and 57% for normal psychological well being visits.
Moreover, 94% of telehealth customers mentioned they “positively will” or “most likely will” make the most of telehealth to acquire medical companies sooner or later.
The highest causes for telehealth use have been comfort (61%), the flexibility to obtain care shortly (49%) and ease of entry to well being info (28%).
“Telehealth and digital applied sciences are reworking 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 expertise adoption and client demand proceed to extend, it will likely be essential to maintain evaluating what’s working nicely and which areas want enchancment, with the purpose being to enhance equitable entry, high quality of care and affected person outcomes that complement in-person care.”
THE LARGER TREND
Telemedicine surged through 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 keeping with a examine revealed 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.
