Study shows increased telemedicine use early in the COVID-19 pandemic

Editor's Note

This study by researchers from Harvard Medical School, Boston, on data from 16.7 million insured individuals, shows that 30.1% of total outpatient visits early in the COVID-19 pandemic (March 18-June 16, 2020) were conducted via telemedicine, and weekly telemedicine visits were 23 times higher, compared with the pre-COVID-19 periods (January 1, 2020-March 17, 2020).

The researchers also found that telemedicine use was lower in rural counties, high-poverty counties, and in adults aged 65 years and older.

Among specialties, use of telemedicine during COVID-19 ranged from 67.7% of endocrinologists and 56.3% of neurologists to 20.7% of orthopedic surgeons and 9.3% of ophthalmologists.

Across common conditions, visits via telemedicine ranged from 53% for depression to 3% for glaucoma, and higher rates of telemedicine use were linked to smaller decreases in weekly visits.