A recent national survey assessing consumer experiences with telehealth has confirmed what real-world practice has been telling us for more than a decade: people in rural America and beyond are growing increasingly comfortable with remote visits, and they are satisfied with the care they are receiving.
The national survey conducted by the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) and Social Sciences Research Solutions (SSRS) looked at the effectiveness of telehealth services, the reasons that patients sought remote care, and the barriers faced by consumers. Nine in 10 adults say they are satisfied with the quality of their telehealth care, and eight in 10 adults say the issue they were primarily concerned about was resolved through e-visits.
The results are encouraging, as telemedicine can level the playing field for access to high-quality medical care. I always say that your zip code should not determine your health outcomes. It doesn’t matter if you live on a farm in the middle of North Dakota or in the heart of New York City or New Jersey. Your access to care should be equal.
The survey was funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, for which I serve as a trustee. Since 2008 the Helmsley Charitable Trust has awarded more than $500 million to organizations and initiatives across seven upper Midwest states to bridge health care gaps in the rural areas of this region that have traditionally been underserved. Telehealth is a key instrument in that toolbox.
