Health care consumers continue to see opportunities to expand care options through telehealth services, according to a recent industry survey.
Consumers view telehealth as a convenient way to receive care from specialists outside of their geographic area, with nearly 80% of respondents indicating they are comfortable using telemedicine.
These virtual care services also offer consumers the first step to accessing mental health care, the study found, which has been especially critical during the COVID-19 pandemic. More than a third of consumers said they have noticed new feelings of anger, depression or relationship problems since the pandemic began, although more than 20% have said they are not considering counseling or therapy.
This dynamic is particularly challenging for Gen Z patients, with more than 40% reporting that they are experiencing these mental health issues.
These findings come the same week as the US Preventive Services Task Force. recommended for the first time to assess anxiety in adults younger than 65 years.
katy gajewiczLaughlin Constable’s executive vice president of strategy said it was encouraging to see telehealth serving as a tool for patients in terms of introducing them to mental health care and continuity of care.
“What we heard from our clients and we saw in the data is that there is more receptivity to using telehealth for mental health appointments and then it may be something that people continue with their care,” Gajewicz said.
The Laughlin Constable report released this week also found that nearly two-thirds of people are also comfortable with the idea of using wearable technology as a apple watch or Fitbit. That marks a 7% increase compared to the previous survey in 2020.
In addition, consumers are increasingly adopting remote patient monitoring as a way for their trusted doctors to conveniently track their journey of care.
A surprising find tom curtes, vice president of strategic planning at Laughlin Constable, came from tracking telehealth’s ability to keep people away from places that might make them sick. She noted that there are still some patients who are wary of going back to the doctor’s office or the ER because of the risk of contracting COVID-19.
He also said the main takeaway from the report is that the pandemic has brought telehealth into the mainstream for consumers who are now willing and comfortable to use these services than before.
As the healthcare landscape becomes more competitive due to the entry of non-traditional players into the market, emphasizing the quality of care offerings to patients will be more critical than ever.
“Traditional health care systems must continually promote to the general public that they have the best care available, whether through telehealth or in person,” he said.
