Popularity of Telehealth Services Has Been Rising Since Start of Pandemic, Survey Finds

Nearly 4 in 10 Americans —38%—have used telehealth services to meet with a medical or mental health professional, up from 31% in the fall of 2020, an APA-sponsoredonline survey has found. The survey was conducted between March 26 and April 5 and included 1,000 adults 18 years old and older.Among survey respondents who reported using telehealth services, 82% used the services since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic; 69% used a video platform, and 38% used only phone calls.Other key findings of the survey include the following:45% of respondents said that telehealth services can offer the same quality of care as in-person services, up from 40% last year.59% would use telehealth services for mental health care, up from 49% last year.43% want to continue using telehealth services when the pandemic is over.34% prefer using telehealth services rather than an in-person doctor ’s office visit, up from 31% last year.“The quick pivot to providing telehealth services at the start of the pandemic was vital to providing continued access to care, and this poll shows the important potential role for telehealth going forward,” said APA President Vivian Pender, M.D., in astatement. “Telepsychiatry especially helps those facing barriers such as lack of transportation, the inability to take time off work for appointments, or family responsibilities.”“Continued access to telehealth during and after the pandemic is vital, and the poll indicates increasing public support for it,...
Source: Psychiatr News - Category: Psychiatry Tags: APA poll COVID-19 in-person visits mental health services pandemic Saul Levin telehealth telephone video Vivian Pender Source Type: research