In 2021, Rock Health conducted an annual consumer adoption survey to track the prevalent modalities and telehealth user satisfaction. Accordingly, the survey depicted that urban dwellers, high-income earners, and people between 18 to 40 years were more likely to use telemedicine than the rest of the population.

Although telehealth should be accessible equally across the board, its adoption has remained skewed to recent findings. While the COVID-19 reshaped telehealth preference, the following population cohort were the most prolific users:

• The young population comprising individuals from ages 18 to 44
• People with a minimum income of $ 150,000
• Adults with a history of chronic conditions

The 2021 Digital Health Consumer Adoption Survey that involved at least 8,000 U.S. adults showed that the least consumers of telehealth and people with no experience in telehealth include the following:

• Adult above the age of 55
• People with an average annual income of $ 35,000 and below
• People living in the U.S. rural areas
• Uninsured people
• U.S. citizen taking no prescriptions

Although most primary healthcare providers in rural areas have introduced telehealth in 2020 and 2021, statistics show that 40% of rural respondents did use telehealth at all. Besides, 28% of the consumer of telehealth used the service for the first time. As a result, location remains pivotal in skewing telehealth access in the U.S. For example, 9% of rural respondents in the 2021 survey indicated that broadband and cellular connectivity remained the top barrier to telemedicine access.

Rock health survey also depicted that fewer men were likely to use telehealth compared to their female counterparts, a finding that contradicts the 2020 survey results. Besides, Non-white respondents such as Latinos, American Indians, Blacks, and Pacific Islanders used telehealth more than white respondents. This finding aligns with the 2020 Pew study that found Latinos and blacks use telehealth more than white respondents mainly because of health disparities.

Skew Towards Video Visits Preference

Rock Health survey indicates that 51% of the respondents preferred video telemedicine compared to other telehealth modalities. Unfortunately, video visit satisfaction rates declined between 2020 and 2021. The authors indicate that the latter is due to the shift in expectations around the purpose of telehealth. In 2020, the respondent believed telehealth as an alternative to in-person visits rather than a replacement to patient care in 2021. Virtual care assumed a new dimension, with the video visits increasing during the pandemic.

With the increasing accessibility to online health care, it is becoming increasingly easy for people to choose a different option from traditional healthcare providers. The shift towards online healthcare is also reducing the holiday fuss.

There are many benefits to choosing a digital practitioner over a traditional one.

Availability of Health Care in Remote Areas

If you're going to be away from your home for this holiday season, make sure you have access to the internet. 

Patients can quickly get help with any medical problem they might be facing when visiting a doctor online. Even in a remote location, you can still contact your doctor by phone, text, or video chat.

Telemedicine services such as Ourdoctor allows users to talk to a healthcare professional from anywhere in the world.

Medical Help From Doctors During Travel

Telemedicine, the use of online services to provide healthcare needs, is an efficient way for people with seasonal illnesses or injuries to receive timely care.

Using online medical help is a good idea. A doctor can provide specialty care in your home via telemedicine reducing the need for physically visiting a doctors office.

Your doctor can give you advice when you are not physically in the office. You can consult with them via phone or text while remaining at home.

Prompt and Consistent Health Treatment

Telehealth provides the opportunity to interact with doctors and view images of conditions in real-time, which leads to better treatment outcomes for all involved.

Telemedicine is an innovation in healthcare offering access to medical services without taking up much time from your day.

You can get advice from a doctor on-demand using a telemedicine website such as Ourdoctor. Doctors can treat symptoms promptly and timely.

Online health care and medical services reduce reliance on traditional medical providers during the holidays.

Having access to telehealth technology has made it possible for doctors to work remotely with their patients, leading to more efficient care. Telehealth is also helping those who can't travel due to living in remote areas or being too ill and can't make it into a doctor's office.

While telehealth is an affordable way for people to manage their healthcare needs, there are some things you should know before you use this option.

Is Telehealth the Future of Medicine?

The pandemic revealed the need for telehealth and a shift away from brick-and-mortar healthcare. It is an innovative and essential solution to the rising COVID-19 pandemic that has brought the rise of telehealth to the public eye.

The future of healthcare is rapidly becoming digital. Patients can use their mobile devices to schedule appointments with their physicians and healthcare professionals, complete health assessments, and view other important information online.

Healthcare providers are constantly looking for ways to limit the influx of patients while keeping them safe and healthy. Telehealth helps many people do this by allowing them to receive care in the comfort of their own homes.

The convenience, cost-effectiveness, and patient satisfaction associated with telehealth make it an ideal tool for many providers.

Orthopedic Option in Telehealth

Did you know that fractures, falls, and other bone damages are the leading causes of hospitalization? Hospitals may save money by providing orthopedic telehealth.

Telehealth can be a good option for those with an orthopedic issue that requires treatment.

Orthopedic Problems Using Telehealth

You may benefit from telehealth for orthopedics when you want to avoid a trip to the clinic or if you are looking for some minor problems that don't need immediate attention.

These situations include:

• Dealing with minor joint pain from arthritis;
• They can also cause pain in the neck or sciatica;
• Sprains, strains, and back pain are common issues for many people;
• You may have to check with your doctor after minor, uncomplicated surgeries.

Did you know that the top reasons for hospital admissions are falls, fractures, and other bone trauma? By offering telehealth for orthopedics, hospitals can reduce admissions and stay within their budgets.