Study: 79% of patients felt in control of their health with virtual care

Editor's Note

According to a November 1 news release from Business Wire, a study done by Elevance Health shows that to 79% of patients surveyed, virtual primary care, or telehealth, has allowed them to take charge of their health, Becker’s Hospital Review November 1 reports.

The study was conducted online and evaluated the opinion of over 5,000 US adults on virtual primary care. According the news release, 94% of people were satisfied with their telehealth experience.

The study also found that:

• 48% said they are familiar with virtual primary care
• 73% like virtual primary care
• the most appealing attributes of virtual care were convenience, accessibility, and overall ease of use
• 21% said they did not know if virtual care is covered by insurance
• 41% of people who currently have a primary healthcare provider said digital forms of communication, like text messages or emails, should be used more.

"Virtual primary care gives individuals the opportunity to work with innovative services that make healthcare more convenient, accessible, and fit into their increasingly busy schedules. The study's findings reiterate the desires of consumers to use digital technology...to take control of their health," said Rajeev Ronanki, president of digital platforms at Elevance Health. 

While the general appeal of virtual care is understood by US patients, the study shows that there are still some mixed feelings about the quality of care. The study found that 31% of people have yet to use telehealth, noting a preference to see a doctor in person to get a proper diagnosis.

Read the Business Wire press release here.