JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Telehealth (telemedicine and telepharmacy) services increase access to patient services and ensure continuity of care. However, few studies have assessed what makes patients willing to use telehealth services, and we sought to investigate this

Objective:

To examine respondents' willingness to use telehealth services (telepharmacy and telemedicine)

Methods:

A cross-sectional national survey of 1,045 non-institutionalized United States adults aged 45-75 administered in March-April 2021. Demographic and health system-level correlates of self-reported willingness to use telehealth services were evaluated. And logistic regression was employed to identify correlates of willingness to use telehealth services.

Results:

Overall willingness to use telehealth was high (64%). Adults 55 years and older were less willing to use telehealth (55-64: OR:0.61, CI95%:0.42-0.86; 65+: OR:0.33, CI95%:0.22-0.49) than those younger 55. Those with a regular provider (OR:1.01, CI95%:1.00-1.02) and long travel times (OR:1.75, CI95%:1.03-2.98), were more willing to use telehealth. Willingness to use telehealth services increased from 65% to 83% if the service was low-cost or insurance-covered, with their existing healthcare provider, or was easy- to- use. Adults aged 55+ were less willing to use telepharmacy (55-64: OR:0.57, CI95%:0.38-0.86; 65+: OR95%:0.24, CI95%:0.15-0.37) than those younger than 55. Those rating pharmacy service quality higher were more willing to use telepharmacy (OR:1.06, CI95%:1.03-1.09).

Conclusions:

Respondents were generally willing to use telehealth services. For those initially unwilling to use telemedicine services, inexpensive or insurance-covered services were acceptable