Patient and Provider Factors Associated With Successfully Addressing Medical Needs Using Telehealth: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Obinnaya Wamuo, BA; Noorie Hyun, PhD; Jeana M. Holt, PhD, DNP, RN, FNP-BC; Melek M. Somai, MD, MPH; Bradley H. Crotty, MD, MPH

WMJ. 2023;122(2):124-126.

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ABSTRACT

Few data exist that highlight areas where telemedicine shines or struggles from the patient perspective. We conducted a retrospective analysis of patient experience data from 19,465 visits using a logistic regression to model the odds a virtual visit addressed a patient’s medical needs. Patient age (80 years: OR 0.58; 95% CI, 0.50-0.67 vs 40-64 years), race (Black: 0.68; 95% CI, 0.60-0.76 vs White), and connection (telephone conversion: OR 0.59; 95% CI, 0.53-0.66 vs video success) were associated with a lower likelihood of addressing medical needs; results varied modestly across specialties. These data suggest that while telehealth is generally well accepted by patients, differences are seen among patient factors and specialty.

Author Affiliations: Collaborative for Healthcare Delivery Science, Center for Advancing Population Science, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin (Wamuo, Holt, Somai, Crotty); Inception Labs at Froedtert & Medical College of Wisconsin Health Network, Milwaukee, Wis (Wamuo, Holt, Somai, Crotty); Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, Washington (Hyun); School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wis (Holt).
Corresponding Author: Bradley H. Crotty, MD, MPH, 8701 Watertown Plank Rd, Milwaukee, WI 53226; email bcrotty@mcw.edu; ORCID ID 0000-0001-6271-4816
Funding/Support: Bradley Crotty, MD, MPH, Obinnaya Wamuo, and Melek Somai, MD, MPH, were supported in part by the Advancing a Healthier Wisconsin Endowment.
Financial Disclosures: None declared.

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