By Tyler Durden
A recent survey reveals that 71% of Americans are afraid to visit the doctor due to COVID-19, while the use of telemedicine to address medical issues has exploded – with 67% of those surveyed reporting having used virtual appointments since the pandemic began vs. 46% prior.
Out of 2,000 Americans surveyed by Harmony Healthcare IT, the average respondent had conducted 2.9 telehealth visits. While 63% of people were apprehensive about their first telehealth appointment, 72% reported ultimately enjoying the experience due to its convenience, safety, flexibility, less wait time and the comfort of being in one’s own home.
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What’s more, wait times have decreased for 52% of respondents, while 28% say it’s about the same, and 20% saying their virtual doctor’s appointments have taken longer than in-person. That said, 34% reported delays due to technical difficulties, while 28% missed or rescheduled appointments due to technology issues.
Most visits, or 59%, were for primary care appointments, while 11% were for cardiologists, and the same percentage for neurologists. 42% sought mental health counseling through telehealth, while 70% reported being more willing to speak with a mental health professional if they could do so virtually.
Overall, while 80% of those surveyed said they believe telehealth has improved their access to care, 55% said they still prefer an in-person visit.
As far as platforms for virtual sessions go, Zoom came in first at 27%, followed by a medical provider’s app or website at 25%, with Skype coming in third at 19%.
By age group, 59% of millennials said they’re comfortable with virtual visits, while 46% of boomers said the same.
Post-pandemic, 60% of respondents said they would continue to use telehealth, while just 12% said they would not.
Source: Zerohedge