Telehealth Survey: Quick, Satisfying, Boomer Approved
Independa, a platform for remote engagement, education and care, announced studies showing a substantial shift toward telehealth with a 97% adoption rate among older adults in 2023, up from 75% in 2021.
Convenience, enhanced doctor-patient relationship and logistical advantages are leading factors in growing telehealth popularity, according to twin studies from Independa encompassing 1,000 U.S. citizens of all ages and the fourth annual focused survey of 1,000 Americans with older adult parents.
Telehealth Adoption Among Older Adults — Older adults have increasingly embraced telehealth, with a notable surge to 97% in 2023 up from 86% in 2022 and 75% in 2021. This trend underscores telehealth’s growing relevance in the older adult demographic.
Convenience and Time-Efficiency — The survey highlights the convenience of telehealth with 65% of respondents requiring 2-3 hours or more for in-person visits, in stark contrast to 72% of respondents requiring 30 minutes or less for telehealth appointments.
Enhanced Online Relationships — A notable 98% of participants reported maintaining or improving relationships with their doctors through telehealth, preserving essential patient-provider rapport.
Dr. AI: Acceptance of Artificial Intelligence — A striking 97% of respondents approve of AI solutions diagnosing their health issues, a significant shift toward technology-driven healthcare benefits.
Telehealth via TV: A Preferred Medium — 98% of older adults prefer receiving telehealth services through their familiar TVs. Respondents showed interest in a variety of TV-based telehealth content – top picks included health and wellness videos, and direct doctor appointments.
Missed Appointments Due to Logistics — Reflecting on the logistical challenges of traditional healthcare, 88% of older adults reported missing healthcare appointments, up from 63% in 2021.
Ease of Setup — 78% of older adults found setting up telehealth appointments easy, an increase from 57% in 2021, highlighting that telehealth technologies are becoming more user friendly as well as familiar.
Preference and Convenience — 99% of all Americans prefer the comfort of home for receiving healthcare. Over half of the respondents identified cost and time savings in travel as significant benefits, further emphasizing telehealth’s appeal.
Generational Perspectives — The surveys revealed generational differences in telehealth preferences. Baby Boomers significantly favored comfort and convenience, with 69% expressing interest in telehealth via TV, compared to 48% of Gen Zers.
