As of August 2020, the top concerns of U.S. physicians about what prevents patient telehealth use were technology challenges, such as a patient's access to technology/ internet or their low digital literacy. Rural physicians, compared to urban, were more likely to perceive a lack of patient access to technology as a barrier.
Perceived barriers to patient telehealth access according to physicians in the U.S. in 2020, by rurality
Characteristic
Urban
Suburban
Rural
Lack of patient access to technology
70.9%
72.8%
77.7%
Lack of digital literacy in patient
62.8%
65.3%
67.6%
Lack of patient access to broadband/internet
61.1%
59%
71.6%
Patient preference for in-person visits
55.3%
59.9%
59.5%
Lack of patient access to data access
38.8%
35.1%
46.6%
Lack of patient awareness/understanding of telehealth offerings
Physicians and approx 13% non-physician healthcare providers
Method of interview
Online survey
Supplementary notes
This question was phrased by the source as follows: “Which of the following, if any, do you perceive as barriers to your patients accessing telehealth?”. Multiple answers were possible.
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COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition. (November 16, 2020). Perceived barriers to patient telehealth access according to physicians in the U.S. in 2020, by rurality [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1238932/us-physicians-perspective-on-barriers-to-patient-telehealth-access/
COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition. "Perceived barriers to patient telehealth access according to physicians in the U.S. in 2020, by rurality." Chart. November 16, 2020. Statista. Accessed December 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1238932/us-physicians-perspective-on-barriers-to-patient-telehealth-access/
COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition. (2020). Perceived barriers to patient telehealth access according to physicians in the U.S. in 2020, by rurality. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1238932/us-physicians-perspective-on-barriers-to-patient-telehealth-access/
COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition. "Perceived Barriers to Patient Telehealth Access According to Physicians in The U.S. in 2020, by Rurality." Statista, Statista Inc., 16 Nov 2020, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1238932/us-physicians-perspective-on-barriers-to-patient-telehealth-access/
COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition, Perceived barriers to patient telehealth access according to physicians in the U.S. in 2020, by rurality Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1238932/us-physicians-perspective-on-barriers-to-patient-telehealth-access/ (last visited December 24, 2024)
Perceived barriers to patient telehealth access according to physicians in the U.S. in 2020, by rurality [Graph], COVID-19 Healthcare Coalition, November 16, 2020. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1238932/us-physicians-perspective-on-barriers-to-patient-telehealth-access/
