New Report Highlights Physicians’ Preference for Permanent Telemedicine Integration
Why It Matters
A recent report from Doximity, a telemedicine platform for healthcare providers, reveals that 83% of physician telemedicine users prefer that virtual care remain a permanent part of their clinical practice. The study also explores the views of telehealth patients, with 96% reporting equivalent or superior overall medical care and 78% indicating that telehealth visits improved their access to healthcare services.
Physician and Patient Perspectives
The research analyzed how digital applications contributed to patient outcomes and physician workflows by studying how physician members across all specialties and practice areas utilized telemedicine tools throughout 2023. Physicians credited virtual care for reducing patient wait times and missed appointments, addressing patients’ social determinants of health, and improving continuity of care for patients with chronic or complex conditions.
Demographics and Utilization
Physicians of all age groups utilized telehealth, with those under the age of 50 accounting for nearly three-fourths (74%) of Doximity’s telemedicine users last year. The report also found that 77% of physician telemedicine users surveyed reported using telemedicine at least weekly, and 35% reported using it daily.
Patient Feedback
Among patients surveyed, 96% emphasized telehealth’s role as a complement to or replacement for in-person care. A strong majority of patients (82%) also said they believe telemedicine helps them stay up to date with their care.
Conclusion
The findings from this study indicate that telemedicine and in-person care are allies, not competitors, in providing timely, comprehensive, and patient-focused care. With virtual visits, physicians can maintain regular touch points with their patients, and the majority of physicians reported telemedicine has contributed to better disease management and improved patient satisfaction.
FAQs
Q: What percentage of physician telemedicine users prefer permanent telemedicine integration?
A: 83%
Q: What percentage of telehealth patients reported equivalent or superior overall medical care?
A: 96%
Q: What percentage of telehealth patients indicated that telehealth visits improved their access to healthcare services?
A: 78%
Q: What specialties are most likely to use telehealth for ongoing care management?
A: Endocrinology, urology, gastroenterology, rheumatology, and neurology
Q: What percentage of physicians reported telemedicine has helped to improve patient outcomes in their practices?
A: 64%
Q: What percentage of patients believe telemedicine helps them stay up to date with their care?
A: 82%
