A report published by Stericycle Communication Solutions has found that young adults who utilize primary care and mental health services as well as those who prefer in-person care still heavily rely on telehealth. The survey was conducted in collaboration with global marketing research specialist, Ipsos, between the period of July 5th to July 8th. The study’s participants included 1,004 adults above the age of 18 who reside in the US, including Alaska and Hawaii.
While the FAIR Health Monthly Telehealth Regional Tracker found a 10.2 percent increase in telehealth utilization in May 2022, the 2022 Stericycle Communication Solutions US Consumer Trends in Patient Engagement Survey reported telehealth utilization decreased following the return to in-person healthcare. According to the report, 25 percent of individuals reported using telehealth either once or twice, while 45 percent said they had used it at least once. This is a decrease from the results of an earlier poll, which revealed that 39 percent of respondents had used telehealth just once or twice the previous year. Additionally, the survey’s results indicated that only 26 percent of elderly adults had used telehealth once or more times within the last year. However, telehealth usage among young individuals (18–34) remained strong, reaching 61 percent.
Furthermore, the research revealed that many patients prefer receiving care in-person. Overall, 44 percent of poll participants said they preferred in-person consultations. Among those who are amenable to telehealth Patients prefer virtual visits for several types of treatment, such as primary care and mental healthcare. For disciplines like dermatology, pediatrics, ENT, cardiology, urology, gynecology, orthopedics, and pulmonology, however, patients do not like virtual visits. Telehealth has a high rate of patient satisfaction. 90 percent of survey participants said their telehealth experiences were either good or exceptional. Convenience and safety were the main factors in patients selecting telehealth. Additionally, 24 percent claimed that telehealth enabled them to locate a more suitable provider.
The report came to the conclusion that more analysis is required to keep telehealth operating at its best. The report states that while some patients desire in-person care for specific diseases, providers must think about the sorts of consultations that may be preferred via telehealth and should make the necessary investments accordingly.
