Doximity: Health Care Providers and Patients Trust and Plan to Continue Telehealth Use

While providing insight into the factors that affect telehealth use, a report from Doximity indicated that physicians and patients perceive telehealth positively, and most believe that it often contributes to positive outcomes.

Physician adoption highlights:

  • The majority of physicians surveyed (61 percent) reported a reduction in their patient no-show rates as a result of telemedicine.
  • 77 percent of physicians said they have observed either equivalent or improved patient adherence to treatment plans with telemedicine, with less than 2 percent reporting decreased adherence.
  • Over 83 percent of physicians surveyed found telemedicine useful in enhancing continuity of care for patients with complex or chronic conditions, and nearly two-thirds (65 percent) said telemedicine improved communication with their patients.
  • The majority of physicians surveyed (57 percent) use telemedicine to discuss lab and test results and treatment options with their patients, and this figure is even higher among oncologists (70 percent). Physicians also use telemedicine for medication management, remote patient monitoring, patient triage and urgent care.

Patient adoption highlights:

  • Among patients who had a telemedicine visit within the past year, 85 percent reported their overall care was superior or equivalent with virtual care.
  • 70 percent of all patients surveyed said they may be more likely to consult with a doctor in a non-emergency situation if the visit could be conducted virtually.
  • 83 percent of patients who participated in a telemedicine visit in the past year reported they expect to maintain or increase their usage of telemedicine in the future.

Based on these results, researchers concluded that telehealth does and will likely continue to play an active role in health care.