A survey of consumers found that 64 percent of Americans are willing to visit their doctor via video telehealth. The nationally projectable survey of 2,019 Americans age 18 and up was conducted online by Harris Poll on behalf of American Well® last December.
The survey uncovered what is important to consumers when it comes to telehealth. For example, consumers perceive that live video visits are more likely to yield an accurate diagnosis than the telephone or email used alone. These views are collaborated by statistics recorded on American Well’s telehealth service, Amwell™ where 94 percent of visits use live video.
Consumers want to select the doctor they see and do not randomly want to be assigned to one. Eighty eight percent prefer to choose a doctor based on the credentials, training, and experience provided in a physician’s online profile.
Consumers expect online visits to be cost-savers, 62 percent think that a video visit should cost less than an in-person visit. In-office visits cost on average $82 for first time patients, according to the Healthcare Blue Book. Amwell offers a $49 physician visit.
The survey found that telehealth will change the way healthcare is delivered in terms of afterhours care, primary care, and choosing a doctor. For example consumers still consider the ER as their first choice for late night urgent care, however, video visits have become the second choice overall for consumers if their child or a loved one is sick with a high fever, which ranks higher that using a 24 hour nurse line.
As for primary care, 70 percent of consumers report that they would rather have an online video visit than an in-office visit to obtain common primary care prescriptions. Consumers indicate interest in telehealth visits for getting prescriptions refilled (60 percent), antibiotic (41) percent, and chronic condition management medication (40 percent.
To download the 2015 survey, go to www.americanwell.com.