New research among members of MyLupusTeam, the social network for people diagnosed with lupus, reveals perceptions of, experiences with, and preferences for telehealth during COVID-19.
2. 2
Research Goals and Methodology
MyLupusTeam fielded an online survey with members to better understand their
attitudes and experiences with telehealth since the pandemic has begun.
The survey fielded from June 24, 2020 to July 6, 2020.
A total of 502 individuals with lupus who live in the United States completed the survey.
3. 3
Almost All Respondents Were Aware of Telehealth After Several Months of
the Pandemic
Awareness of Telehealth Services
During the COVID-19 pandemic, some doctors and nurses are conducting remote appointments
with patients via videoconferencing over e internet on a computer, mobile phone or tablet. This
type of remote or virtual doctor appointment is referred to as telehealth or telemedicine services.
Have you heard of telehealth (or telemedicine) services? (Sample size=502)
56%
96%
Prior to pandemic Since pandemic began
4. 4
Among MyLupusTeam Members, Usage of Telehealth Increased Over
500% From When the Pandemic Started to the End of July 2020
11%
63%
Prior to the pandemic Since pandemic began
Usage of Telehealth Services
Among those aware of telehealth prior to pandemic: Had you ever used telehealth services before the
COVID-19 pandemic began in the United States (i.e. before March of this year)?
Among all aware of telehealth: Have you used telehealth services since early March (around when the
COVID-19 pandemic began)? (Sample size=484)
5. 5
Those Who Have Used Telehealth Are More Likely to Use It in the Future
(61%) Than Those Who Have Not Tried It (35%)
35%
61%
Among people who have not used telehealth
since pandemic began
Among people who used telehealth since
pandemic began
Likelihood to Use Telehealth in the Future
Assuming that it is available to you and covered by insurance, how likely are you to use telehealth in
the future after the COVID-19 pandemic is over? (Sample size=305, 174)
6. 6
Three-Quarters of Those Who Have Used Telehealth Say They Are
Comfortable With It
2% 4%
18% 21%
55%
1 - Not at all
comfortable
2 3 - Neutral 4 5 - Very
comfortable
Comfort Level With Telehealth
Thinking about all telehealth appointments in the past few months, how comfortable were you
using telehealth services? (Sample size=295)
76%
7. 7
18%
50%
33%
Primary care provider(s) Specialist(s) Both
1 in 2 Patients “See” Specialists Via Telehealth After the Pandemic; One-
Third Have “Seen” Both Specialists and PCPs Since March
When you used telehealth services after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, was your
appointment(s) with primary care providers, specialists, or both? Please select all that apply.
(Sample size=305)
Doctors “Seen” With Telehealth Services
8. 8
34%
26% 26%
14%
One Two Three or four Five or more
Two-Thirds Have Had Two or More Telehealth Appointments
Approximately how many telehealth appointments have you had since the COVID-19 pandemic
began? (Sample size=305)
Number of Telehealth Appointments From March through July
9. 9
75%
16%
13%
9%
Mobile phone Laptop Tablet Desktop computer
Three in Four Have Used a Mobile Phone for These Appointments
What device have you used for your telehealth appointment(s)? Please select all that apply.
(Sample size=303)
Devices Used for Appointments
10. 10
89%
83%
Seen that primary care provider before Seen that specialist before
Almost All Are Doing Telehealth With a Primary Care Doctor They Have
Seen Before
Which best describes this primary care/specialist telehealth appointment(s)? Please select all
that apply. (Sample size=155, 250)
Previously Seen That Doctor
11. 11
73% Are Satisfied With Their PCP Telehealth Appointment
3% 4%
19% 19%
54%
1 - Not at all
satisfied
2 3 - Neutral 4 5 - Very satisfied
Satisfaction With Primary Care Telehealth Appointment
How satisfied are you with your telehealth experience with the primary care provider? (Sample
size=156)
73%
12. 12
74% Are Satisfied With Their Specialist Telehealth Appointment
2% 4%
19% 21%
53%
1 - Not at all
satisfied
2 3 - Neutral 4 5 - Very satisfied
Satisfaction with Specialist Telehealth Appointment
How satisfied are you with your telehealth experience(s) with the specialist(s)?
(Sample size=252)
74%
13. 13
Statements respondents reacted to:
1. Is more convenient for me
2. Is easier for me
3. Is safer for me
4. Provides a more thorough examination
5. Is better for urgent concerns
6. Is better for routine matters such as checking in, refilling prescriptions, or getting
referrals
7. Feels more personal
8. Feels like the provider listens to me, and I have their full attention
9. Results in clearer next steps
10. Gives me the answers or information that I need
11. Leaves me feeling that I have unanswered questions or concerns
We Asked, “Do These Statements Apply More to In-person or Telehealth
Appointments?” About 11 Different Statements (Full Text Below)
14. 14
We Asked, “Do These Statements Apply More to In-person or Telehealth
Appointments?” About 11 Different Statements
Respondents could choose:
Telehealth (% shown in orange on next slide)
No difference (% shown in gray on next slide)
In-person, in office (% shown in blue on next slide)
While you may not have used telehealth services previously, please think about the experience of seeing a
health care provider in person at an office and what you think it would be like to see a provider via
telehealth and done remotely. Do these statements apply more to in-person or telehealth appointments?
15. 15
2%
8%
9%
9%
14%
22%
34%
57%
65%
68%
70%
10%
58%
34%
69%
57%
67%
27%
28%
19%
19%
21%
88%
34%
57%
22%
29%
11%
40%
15%
16%
13%
9%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Provides a more thorough exam
Results in clearer next steps
Feels more personal
Gives answers/info I need
Provider listens /have their full attention
Feeling unanswered questions/concerns
Is better for urgent concerns
Is better for routine matters
Is easier for me
Is more convenient for me
Is safer for me
Telehealth No difference In-person at office
Those Who Have Tried Telehealth Before Think Convenience, Easier, Safer
and Better for Routine Matters Are Benefits of Telehealth vs. In-person
Do these statements apply more to in-person or telehealth appointments? (Sample size=305)
Statements That Apply More to In-person Appointments vs. Telehealth
Among Those Who Have Tried Telehealth Before
16. 16
2%
5%
6%
6%
13%
22%
28%
37%
40%
43%
43%
14%
27%
47%
42%
46%
23%
50%
29%
26%
27%
29%
84%
68%
48%
52%
41%
55%
22%
34%
34%
30%
28%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Provides a more thorough exam
Feels more personal
Results in clearer next steps
Provider listens /have their full attention
Gives answers/info I need
Is better for urgent concerns
Feeling unanswered questions/concerns
Is easier for me
Is more convenient for me
Is better for routine matters
Is safer for me
Telehealth No difference In-person at office
Those Who Have Not Tried It Before Are Less Likely to See Positives for Telehealth
vs. In-person (Except for Safer & Easier for Them, Routine Matters, & Convenience)
Statements That Apply More to In-person Appointments vs. Telehealth
Among Those Who Have Not Tried Telehealth Before
Do these statements apply more to in-person or telehealth appointments? (Sample size=197)
