Out of the general American adult population, 59 percent have used a medical website to search for symptoms instead of going to a primary care medical professional. The University of Phoenix College of Health Professionals conducted the survey.
They had 2,201 respondents from diverse demographic, cultural, and socioeconomic circumstances who finished an online survey. The gathered data provides compelling insights into the adoption of online healthcare and related technologies.
As stated by the Executive Dean of the College of Health Professions, the field of healthcare is evolving into a more patient-focused approach that leverages technology. This provides access to communication tools and establishes a platform for patient involvement.
Technology is Enhancing the Overall Healthcare Experience for Patients
With the changes that are currently happening, it’s very important for patients to gain access to these technologies and to view them as vital resources for enhancing their overall healthcare experience.
This is particularly more critical in remote areas where primary care is not available, and access to online healthcare and virtual doctors could be the only options.
In the survey, respondents were asked about their general online healthcare involvement, including the use of online health records, online appointment booking, online chat features, text message appointment reminders, and e-prescription refills. Virtual doctors were never mentioned in the survey, and primary care had no part at all.
Only 25 Percent of People Accessed Their Online Health Records
Regarding online health records, 37 per cent of respondents stated that they had recently accessed their records, although only 25 percent mentioned using them in the last 12 months. Seventy-four percent have rated online health record access as slightly or extremely important.
This feature is particularly helpful in keeping track of your health, and with the use of this kind of online healthcare, you can avoid going to another place just to get to a primary care provider. You can even opt for communicating with virtual doctors if you have further questions.
In terms of appointment booking, 27 percent of the respondents had access. Only 15 percent of them had utilized it in the last 12 months. Fifty-nine percent have considered it vital.
Appointment Booking Online for Virtual Doctors Offers Peace of Mind
This online healthcare feature will be beneficial for those who want to ensure they are taken care of when visiting their primary care provider or when calling their virtual doctors.
Out of all the mentioned features above, online chat had the lowest acceptance or endorsement. Only 17 percent had access and only five percent are actually using it. However, 49 percent still rated it as relatively or exceedingly important.
This will be instrumental in finding and exchanging health information with patients who have similar conditions to yours. Sharing your experiences can be therapeutic, and it can also be informative if you’re looking for a reliable primary care provider in your area or a trusted virtual doctor.
Of all the respondents, 28 percent had used text message appointment reminders and 35 percent had access to this feature. 64 percent have rated these reminders as crucial to their health and care.
Everybody needs to be reminded of appointments or important days. This online healthcare feature helps people arrive at their primary care appointments on time and be available online for scheduled calls with their virtual doctors.
72 Percent of People Said E-Prescriptions are a Vital Resource
Lastly, 39 percent of the respondents had access to e-prescriptions. 26 percent had made use of this access in the past year and 72 percent deemed it a vital resource for their general online healthcare.
This feature definitely saves time for all those involved. Virtual doctors will be able to directly send a prescription order to a pharmacy for the patients’ convenience.
Specific demographic progressions supported by each of the technologies were asked about in the survey. In each category, except for the chat services, women were substantially more likely than men to have used the technology.
This can be justified by the reality that women are the usual caregivers and are primarily responsible for the overall healthcare of a family. Online healthcare tools have undoubtedly made women’s caregiving responsibilities easier to manage.
Whether people choose to visit a primary care provider or call virtual doctors, what matters is that people get the professional care that they need. In almost all categories, utilization of technology is often correlated with income and level of education.
Income, Language and Ethnicity May Play a Significant Role in Usage
For example, in prescriptions, 38 percent of them have an income of $100,000 or more per year and have taken advantage of the feature in the last 12 months. Only 21 percent of them have an annual income of less than $50,000. This may indicate a financial gap for online healthcare.
The correlations with ethnicity were not as constant and were unpredictable. Actually, in the online chat feature, Hispanic people were over 50 percent more inclined to use it compared to people who have identified as white. An explanation for this is that chat tools are less complicated to use when there’s a language barrier.
This way, those who have language difficulties can ask those who can guide them what the next step should be, or contact primary care providers and virtual doctors who will be able to understand them.
The entire survey questioned about multiple issues that go beyond just the technology. Other aspects, like the qualities that the respondents appreciated in their providers and even those that involve insurance coverage decisions, were asked.
The gathered information about online healthcare exhibits that technology is only a piece of the puzzle regarding patient care.
Although recent advanced technologies are valuable resources that we must rely on to enhance communication, interpersonal skills remain the foundation for safeguarding patients’ trust and ensuring their overall better care. Even virtual doctors invest in interpersonal relationships with their patients.
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