What does the average, tech-savvy consumer think about telemedicine? That’s the question explored in a recent survey conducted by HealthMine. 500 insured individuals who use mobile and/or internet-connected health apps were surveyed on a variety of topics surrounding the perception and adoption of telemedicine.
Some of the key findings were as follows:
- 39% of respondents surveyed had not heard of telemedicine
- Only a third of respondents have telemedicine options included in their health plans
- 55% of those who have access to telehealth have actually used it
- 93% of people who’ve used telemedicine confirmed that it has lowered their health care costs
The most interesting finding from those respondents who had elected not to use virtual care options was that 28% didn’t know when it was appropriate to use telemedicine. This would indicate that consumer-facing education would be a key area of focus for telehealth providers as they seeking expanded adoption over the coming years. Guidance might be the crucial step needed to convert non-users to users and even advocates.
The survey also polled participants about which situations they would consider using telemedicine to address, the most popular scenarios were as follows:
- 44% – follow-up care for acute illness
- 44% – symptom tracking and diagnosis
- 44% – medication management/prescription renewal
- 34% – follow-up care for chronic condition
- 31% – remote monitoring of vital signs
This seemingly indicates that the biggest opportunity for telehealth providers, from a consumer standpoint, is in the area of supplementary care. As virtual care options become more accessible and integrated into existing care models, it’s likely that the tide of public perception will shift accordingly.
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