Telehealth Use Continues to Expand, Can Help Nation’s Mental Health Crisis
Propelled by the coronavirus pandemic, the awareness and use of telehealth has grown dramatically over the past two years. As our lives have increasingly moved online, so too has the delivery of healthcare. Americans want choices when it comes to receiving healthcare, and are looking for ways to receive it in the way that works best for them and their schedules. For millions of Americans, the answer can be healthcare delivered by many modes of telehealth including synchronous, asynchronous, audio-only, and remote patient monitoring.
We recently completed our second annual survey on the state of telehealth in the country. Working again with nationally renowned polling firm Public Opinion Strategies, we asked 1,200 American adults in detail about accessing healthcare and what could be done to improve care. The survey respondents reflect the demographics of the U.S. population, and we’re sharing the results below.
The Challenge
Our country is facing twin challenges in medical care, staffing shortages and a backlog of care stemming from the pandemic. Nearly half of Americans have skipped care during the course of the pandemic. More than one-in-two (54%) of respondents live in a household where someone has skipped care because of cost or COVID-19.
Focus On: Mental Health
The state of the country’s collective mental health also poses a challenge. Americans have reported a decline in their mental health over the past year. Just 38% of Americans report their mental or emotional health is excellent or very good, down from 52% in February 2021.
Americans recognize the dire mental health situation in America. A majority (55%) know someone who would benefit from receiving counseling or therapy from a mental or behavioral health professional, but who is not currently receiving that care. Nearly 6-in-10 Americans (59%) believe mental health issues are a very serious problem in the U.S., and 91% believe mental health issues are a problem.
The Solution
- Telehealth
While nearly 6-in-10 Americans say access to medical care is a problem where they live, including more than 1-in-5 (22%) who say it is a major problem, they believe telehealth can help solve some of these access issues. And for many, telehealth has already helped them access care.
More than half (55%) of respondents have now had a telehealth visit, up from 10% in June 2019, 29% in April 2020, 43% in August 2020 and 51% in February 2021. Whether the medical interactions are over video, secure chat or phone, people are choosing telehealth. Telehealth use has grown significantly, and satisfaction among those who have used it has been consistently high. Nearly all (91%) of those who have used telehealth say they were satisfied with their most recent visit — closely resembling the 89% of whom said the same in 2021.
Telehealth has also been proven to help individuals access care in rural areas. A recent peer reviewed study published in the Journal of the American Board of Family Medicine found that telemedicine is an effective alternative to in-person care for rural residents, helping to drive up appointment completion rates. Using data from a rural Appalachian population, this study found that telehealth raised visit completion rates by 20%.
Hims & Hers supports efforts to expand broadband infrastructure. As a founding member of the Telehealth Equity Coalition, we joined a wide range of organizations urging Congress to support the Accessible, Affordable Internet for All Act, which will provide $94 billion to close the digital divide and ensure Americans have internet connectivity. Through this coalition we also participated in the creation of an innovative whitepaper exploring underfunded infrastructure and the impact on health equity. Through smart policy changes and strategic investment, telehealth can help more people in rural communities gain access to telehealth.
2. Policy Changes
It’s clear that Americans have embraced telehealth and that it’s a hugely beneficial tool for many people seeking care. In order to allow more individuals to have access to care when, where, and how they need it, policy changes are needed in many states.
Americans support policies that will expand asynchronous telehealth options (i.e. non-real time exchanges via a secure online portal). More than two-thirds (69%) of Americans support legislation to expand patient access to asynchronous telehealth. The support for asynchronous telehealth is widespread. Majorities of Republicans (60%) and Democrats (77%) support this legislation. Hispanic Adults (70%), Black Adults (76%) and those with Medicaid coverage (75%) all express stronger levels of support for legislation to expand asynchronous telehealth. Healthcare workers are among the strongest supporters (82% total support, 51% strongly support).
3. Products
While public policy changes to unlock more avenues to care are being debated, Hims & Hers will continue to be the front door to modern healthcare and support patients throughout their health care journey.
What This Means for the Future
Patients want to receive care in the way that works best for them and this is increasingly a combination of telehealth support via synchronous real-time video consultation and asynchronous interactions between providers and patients. Telehealth, both synchronous and asynchronous, can help address some of the mental health crises our country is facing.
Based on this representative survey, Americans want to be in control of their care and would like to see legislators allow for both of these options.
Hims & Hers has built quality and safety into the care processes from the very beginning to allow independent, licensed health care providers furnishing care via the platform to appropriately diagnose and treat customers conveniently without compromising on quality or safety. While we continue to evolve to meet customer needs, we are also advocating for policy solutions that will allow more Americans to get the care they need, when and where they want.
