USE OF AND EXPERIENCES WITH TELEHEALTH VISITS AND PATIENT PORTALS IN A NATIONALLY REPRESENTATIVE SAMPLE OF OLDER ADULTS
2024

Telehealth Use and Experiences Among Older Adults

Sample size: 2500 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Solway Erica, Singer Dianne, Kirch Matthias, Roberts Scott, Kullgren Jeff

Primary Institution: University of Michigan

Conclusion

Older adults' use and perceptions of telehealth have significantly increased, especially during the pandemic.

Supporting Evidence

  • In 2019, only 4% of U.S. adults ages 50-80 reported having a telehealth visit in the past year.
  • By mid-2020, 26% of older adults reported having had a telehealth visit within the prior three months.
  • As of 2023, 7.5% of people ages 50-80 had used at least one direct-to-consumer health care service from an online-only provider.
  • 32% of older adults expressed interest in direct-to-consumer health care services in the future.

Takeaway

This study shows that more older adults are using telehealth services now than before, especially since the pandemic started.

Methodology

The study used surveys from the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging, conducted twice a year with a nationally representative sample of older adults.

Participant Demographics

Adults ages 50-80.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1093/geroni/igae098.0084

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication