National Survey Shows Growing Shift to Telehealth

Study results from Independa Inc. indicate 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. Among the findings:
 

• 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 increasing relevance in the older adult demographic.
• Nearly two thirds (65%) of respondents required two to three hours or more for in-person doctor visits, in stark contrast to 72% of respondents requiring 30 minutes or less for telehealth appointments.
• A notable 98% of participants reported maintaining or improving relationships with their doctors through telehealth, preserving essential patient-provider rapport.
• Ninety-seven percent of respondents approve of artificial intelligence solutions to help diagnose their health issues, a significant shift toward technology-driven healthcare benefits.
• Ninety-eight percent 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.
• Reflecting on the logistical challenges of traditional healthcare, 88% of older adults reported missing healthcare appointments, up from 63% in 2021. 
• Seventy-eight percent of older adults found setting up telehealth appointments easy, an increase from 57% in 2021, suggesting that telehealth technologies are becoming more user friendly as well as familiar.
• Ninety-nine percent of all Americans prefer the comfort of home for receiving healthcare. More than half the respondents identified cost and time savings in travel as significant benefits, further emphasizing telehealth’s appeal. 
• 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.  

“Our findings show telehealth has indeed become a vital component of modern healthcare,” Independa Founder/CEO Kian Saneii said. “Convenience, ease of setup, significant time savings and ability to improve doctor-patient relationships are all powerful drivers of telehealth adoption. The significant uptake among older adults, in particular, is a remarkable shift in how healthcare is perceived and accessed by this crucial demographic. Our platform’s integration with familiar technologies like TVs is breaking new ground in making health management more simplified and accessible, and less intimidating. These survey results reinforce our commitment to advancing health and wellness in the home, ensuring our solutions are inclusive, affordable and the convenient preferred choice for people of all ages.”
 
Founded in 2009, Independa Inc. has developed a TV-based social engagement, education and care platform. The Independa Health Hub provides consumers with bi-directional, easy-to-use video chat that allows users to connect with family and friends, healthcare providers in their homes through their LG televisions. In addition to its communication capabilities, the Independa Health Hub also provides wellness services and entertainment programming. Independa helps people stay at their residence of choice longer, safer and more comfortably.