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Abstract
ABSTRACT
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic created significant barriers to in-person healthcare utilization. Tele visits reduce the risk of infections in communities, help to enhance follow-up care, and allow individuals to access primary or specialty care consultations without in-person contact. Research Questions • What are the determinants of the likelihood of using video or phone telehealth, urgent care, and emergency department services among adults in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic? • What are the effects of telehealth on in-person healthcare utilization? • Is there any disparity in telehealth use among adults that is affected by socioeconomic status or the relative degree of disadvantage of individuals and households?
MethodsPotential factors affecting the use of video or phone tele visits were identified using the Anderson Behavioral Model for Healthcare Utilization. For this empirical analysis, 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data were used. The use of tele visits was defined as having an appointment with a doctor, nurse, or other health professionals by video or telephone. Predisposing, enabling, and need for healthcare-related factors were analyzed using STATA 18.0.
ResultsOut of 29,217 adults in NHIS, 11,384 (37.02%) used video or phone tele visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of tele visits was lower in younger adults (27.84% vs. 43.15% for older), in men (31.72% vs. 41.97%), in the Hispanic group than non-Hispanic Whites (32.76% vs. 39.16%), in individuals, who attained less than high school education than Masters or higher degrees (28.71% vs. 46.56%), among higher federal poverty group (33.27% vs. 40.57%), among those without health insurance coverage (13.90% vs. 39.67%), and in rural areas (29.43% vs. 40.33%). Higher degrees of disabilities, presence of chronic conditions, and diagnosis of COVID-19 during the year also increased video or phone tele visits.
ConclusionThis study will improve the knowledge gap in identifying the determinants of tele visits during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person healthcare utilization became difficult. These results may help public health practitioners and decision-makers to design, implement, and evaluate audience-specific ethical, culturally, or linguistically appropriate telehealth programs or policies to improve population health.
BackgroundThe COVID-19 pandemic created significant barriers to in-person healthcare utilization. Tele visits reduce the risk of infections in communities, help to enhance follow-up care, and allow individuals to access primary or specialty care consultations without in-person contact. Research Questions • What are the determinants of the likelihood of using video or phone telehealth, urgent care, and emergency department services among adults in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic? • What are the effects of telehealth on in-person healthcare utilization? • Is there any disparity in telehealth use among adults that is affected by socioeconomic status or the relative degree of disadvantage of individuals and households?
MethodsPotential factors affecting the use of video or phone tele visits were identified using the Anderson Behavioral Model for Healthcare Utilization. For this empirical analysis, 2021 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data were used. The use of tele visits was defined as having an appointment with a doctor, nurse, or other health professionals by video or telephone. Predisposing, enabling, and need for healthcare-related factors were analyzed using STATA 18.0.
ResultsOut of 29,217 adults in NHIS, 11,384 (37.02%) used video or phone tele visits during the COVID-19 pandemic. The use of tele visits was lower in younger adults (27.84% vs. 43.15% for older), in men (31.72% vs. 41.97%), in the Hispanic group than non-Hispanic Whites (32.76% vs. 39.16%), in individuals, who attained less than high school education than Masters or higher degrees (28.71% vs. 46.56%), among higher federal poverty group (33.27% vs. 40.57%), among those without health insurance coverage (13.90% vs. 39.67%), and in rural areas (29.43% vs. 40.33%). Higher degrees of disabilities, presence of chronic conditions, and diagnosis of COVID-19 during the year also increased video or phone tele visits.
ConclusionThis study will improve the knowledge gap in identifying the determinants of tele visits during the COVID-19 pandemic when in-person healthcare utilization became difficult. These results may help public health practitioners and decision-makers to design, implement, and evaluate audience-specific ethical, culturally, or linguistically appropriate telehealth programs or policies to improve population health.