While the COVID-19 crisis has brought telemedicine into the limelight, most patients expect to use virtual appointments after the pandemic resolves. Learn how patient sentiment toward telemedicine has shifted during this global healthcare emergency and why it will become a critical part of healthcare in a post-COVID world.

Some things we learned: 

• Telemedicine is here to stay: 71% of patients would consider using telemedicine services today, and 83% are likely to turn to telemedicine after the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Telemedicine can bridge the murky “reopening” phase: Among patients who had to cancel or reschedule an appointment due to COVID-19, over ⅓ want to use telemedicine to resume care ASAP.
• Reviews matter when choosing a new “virtual” doctor: While 55% of patients would use telemedicine to seek care with a new doctor, 40% would only see a new doctor virtually if they had a referral or the physician had excellent online ratings and reviews.
• User-friendly technology is key to winning patients: The top three reasons that would encourage a patient to use telemedicine are easy-to-use technology (69%), communication from the hospital or practice that such services are available (57%), and online scheduling options for a virtual appointment (47%).
• Telemedicine can impact prescription adherence: 91% of patients agree that telemedicine would help them adhere to appointments and manage prescription refills while 93% say they would use telemedicine to learn about and access new medications.