Respondents to a survey published in JAMA Network Open were interested in using video telehealth visits in the future, but most preferred to access healthcare in person.

“This survey study found that participants were generally willing to use video visits but preferred in-person care, and those who preferred video visits were more sensitive to paying out-of-pocket cost,” researchers wrote. 

TOP-LINE DATA

The survey found 66.5% of participants wanted at least some video visits in the future, but when they had a choice between an in-person and a video visit when out-of-pocket costs weren’t a factor, 53% preferred an in-person visit.

Meanwhile, 20.9% of respondents preferred a video visit, and 26.2% didn’t have a preference or didn’t know. 

Exposure to video telehealth video visits affected participants’ views. The survey found 45% of participants reported having at least one video visit with providers since the COVID-19 pandemic began in March 2020. Among that group, 44.2% preferred in-person, and 31.4% would rather use video.

But for those who didn’t have experience with video visits, 60.2% preferred an in-person visit, and only 12.2% preferred video.

The survey also aimed to gauge participants’ interest when costs varied between the two modalities. When participants who preferred video visits were asked about a $30 video visit compared with a $10 in-person visit, 18.9% still would rather use video, 61.7% switched to in-person visit, and 19.1% didn’t have a preference or didn’t know.

When those who originally preferred in-person were asked about a scenario where cost was a factor, 49.8% still preferred in-person, and 23.5% switched. 

But when asked to rank their interest in using video telehealth on a five-point scale, 61.4% of participants reported they were very willing or willing and only 8.5% were unwilling. Of those who had done a video visit since March 2020, only 2.3% didn’t want to use telehealth in the future.

Younger patients 20 to 39 were most likely to prefer video visits (25.9%) and those over 60 were least likely to (12.6%). The study also found that individuals with a college degree were more likely to prefer video visits than their peers without a degree.

HOW IT WAS DONE

Researchers conducted a survey of more than 2,000 adults ages 20 and older between March 8 and 19, 2021.

Respondents were asked whether they preferred in-person care or a video visit for a non-emergent issue where cost wasn't a factor. They were then asked to choose between their preferred option at a cost of $30, or the other modality at only $10. 

The survey also asked participants about which demographic groups they belonged to, their experience with video visits, their willingness to use video visits and their preferences for the amount of telehealth after the pandemic.

BACKGROUND

Though telehealth and virtual care were available before the pandemic, use soared when COVID-19 pushed patients and providers to access care remotely when they could. 

As more people return to in-person experiences, the growth curve for telehealth has stabilized, but some studies show consumers are still interested in virtual care. Stakeholders are discussing safety and quality concerns as well as payment issues. 

CONCLUSION

Researchers noted some limitations with their study. They weren’t able to conduct a full analysis of how much participants were willing to pay for each modality. Respondents might not be familiar with making choices between telehealth and in-person care. 

The demographic data was also limited. For instance, they didn’t have access to data on health status or chronic conditions, which might have an impact on how respondents viewed in-person vs. telehealth care.

“This survey study found that adult respondents were generally willing to use video visits but preferred in-person care to a video visit for a non-emergency health issue,” they wrote.

“Previous use of telehealth was associated with preference for video visits, and those who preferred video visits were more sensitive to out-of-pocket cost. Awareness of patient preferences will help to identify telehealth’s role in post-pandemic healthcare delivery.”