Survey Reveals Patient Preferences for Telehealth
Patients are expressing a strong preference for telehealth services over traditional in-office visits. This trend is driven by the benefits of speed, convenience, and the desire to minimize exposure to illness while seeking medical care.
Survey Findings on Telehealth Preferences
A recent survey indicates that patients favor telehealth for various medical concerns, including urgent, preventive, chronic, and specialty care. A notable 75% of respondents preferred telehealth for minor yet urgent issues such as cough, sinusitis, and rash. Additionally, over 63% indicated they would opt for telehealth or whatever service became available first. For clinics expanding their virtual care services, using the best urgent care EMR can help telehealth workflow and enhance patient care.
A Growing Awareness Gap
Despite the clear preference for telehealth, many patients lack awareness of the virtual care options available through their health systems. In the survey, over 55% were uncertain or unaware if their primary care provider offered on-demand telehealth visits for minor issues. Furthermore, 41% acknowledged they had not been informed about telehealth availability when office wait times were long.
Reasons Patients Prefer Telehealth
The survey revealed key reasons behind patients' preference for telehealth:
- No travel required (73%)
- Faster access to care (67%)
- Avoiding waiting rooms full of sick individuals (54%)
- Convenient hours (51%)
- Preventing lost workdays (29%)
- Reluctance to bother a doctor for minor concerns (23%)
Additional Insights from the Survey
Further analysis of the survey highlighted these noteworthy points:
- A significant 73% of patients experienced a virtual urgent care visit in the last year.
- Patients also reported engaging in a variety of telehealth services, including preventive care (33%), chronic care (32%), behavioral health (32%), and specialty care (14%).
- When asked if their health systems communicated about telehealth availability, 65% responded negatively or were unsure.
- If faced with a wait time exceeding one month for an office visit, over 82% indicated they would prefer a telehealth visit within three days, with only 4.5% willing to wait for an in-person appointment.
- Approximately 78% of patients emphasized the importance of their regular doctor and telehealth provider accessing the same health records, yet 37% reported their last telehealth provider either lacked access to records or were uncertain if they did.
The Value of Telehealth
Dr. Lyle Berkowitz, CEO of KeyCare, stated, "It's evident that patients value telehealth for its comfort and convenience. However, communication about the range of telehealth services offered by health systems is lacking. Providers must ensure they effectively promote telehealth options through multiple channels while meeting the growing demand with adequate supply."
About KeyCare
KeyCare is at the forefront of virtual care by offering health systems a network of providers equipped with an Epic-based EMR and telehealth platform. This innovation enables health systems to enhance telehealth access for patients and effectively manage the demands on their healthcare providers. They can initiate nationwide virtual on-demand care around the clock, covering all 50 states, and expand into other primary and specialty care as requirements evolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main advantages of telehealth according to patients?
Patients appreciate the convenience, speed, and reduced exposure to illness that telehealth offers compared to traditional office visits.
Why are patients often unaware of telehealth options?
Many patients do not receive adequate communication from their health systems regarding available telehealth services.
How significant is the preference for telehealth for urgent care?
Nearly 75% of survey respondents expressed a clear preference for telehealth for minor urgent health matters.
What role does access to health records play in telehealth encounters?
Most patients feel it is crucial for both their telehealth provider and regular doctor to access their health records for effective care.
How is KeyCare enhancing telehealth services?
KeyCare offers a robust network of virtual care providers using their Epic-based platform, ensuring health systems can provide efficient telehealth access to patients.
