Almost 80% of Americans would consider a virtual visit with their healthcare professional

NEW YORK — Nearly eight in 10 Americans (78%) would consider seeing a healthcare professional virtually for at least one healthcare need, though not all needs seem to transition equally to this method, according to a new Harris Poll released Wednesday. Nearly half (47%) would see a healthcare professional virtually to discuss the effectiveness of regularly used prescriptions, while roughly four in 10 each would do so to diagnose cold or flu-like symptoms (43%) or for a consultation regarding allergies (39%).

 

Seniors over the age of 69 years were most likely (57%) to discuss the effectiveness of regularly used prescriptions through a video portal, followed by baby boomers (52%). 

 

Moving down the list of options, just over a third would consider opting to have a general wellness visit, regular checkup or preventative services (36%) or a regular checkup regarding regularly monitored biometrics (35%) virtually. Meanwhile just under a third would consider doing so to diagnose a rash (32%) or for one-time screening or lab services, such as blood sugar testing (30%). Roughly a fourth would consider this avenue for a regular checkup regarding a chronic condition (27%), to discuss a more urgent need regarding a chronic condition (26%), or to discuss treatment options of a sensitive nature (24%).

 

Americans are least likely to consider this a viable alternative for discussing treatment options for a life-threatening condition (18%), or for psychological or psychiatric consultations (with 22% saying they'd consider doing either a one-time or regular session virtually).

 

Seven in 10 Americans (70%) would be comfortable with a virtual checkup if it was with their own doctor or healthcare professional, while only about half as many (36%) would be comfortable having a virtual checkup with a doctor or healthcare professional they have not met in person. Meanwhile, only three in 10 Americans (31%) could consider letting their child see a healthcare professional virtually; this increases to just over four in 10 (42%) among those who currently live in households with children.

 

Nearly three-fourths of Americans (73%) believe that virtually monitoring or checking up on chronic conditions could help reduce hospital readmission rates; however, nearly two-thirds (65%) indicate that they'd have less faith in a diagnosis from a virtual consultation than an in-person one.

 

Diagnosis concerns are strongest among seniors over the age of 69 years (matures), who are more likely than any other generation to say they'd have reduced faith in a virtual diagnosis (77% matures vs. 63% each for baby boomers, Gen Xers and millennials).

 

What's more, majorities of Americans believe virtual healthcare consultations could make it easier for both healthcare practitioners (67%) and consumers (62%) to commit insurance fraud.

 

Americans seem to have an expectation that virtual consultations represent an opportunity to cut cost, with only 36% feeling doctors should be compensated the same amount for virtual appointments as for in-person ones; fewer still (28%) feel patients should be charged the same amount for virtual appointments as for in-person ones.

 

The Harris Poll surveyed 2,537 U.S. adults online between Aug. 13 and 18.