Oxford Academic: Association Of Covid-19 And the Prevalence of In-Person vs Telehealth Primary Care Visits and Subsequent Impacts On Tobacco Use Assessment And Referral For Cessation Assistance

Oxford Academic: Association Of Covid-19 And the Prevalence of In-Person vs Telehealth Primary Care Visits and Subsequent Impacts On Tobacco Use Assessment And Referral For Cessation Assistance

The COVID-19 pandemic dramatically altered patterns of health care seeking and delivery with a considerable rise in telehealth visits. This study examined one year prior to the onset of COVID-19 and two years after to evaluate the assessment of tobacco use and assistance with tobacco cessation and differences during in-person vs telehealth visits. Telehealth visits were significantly less likely to include smoking status assessment and referral to smoking cessation counseling compared to in-person visits. Given that smoking assessment and cessation assistance do not require face-to-face interactions with health care providers, continued efforts are needed to ensure provision at all visits, regardless of modality.