New research among members of MyParkinsonsTeam, the social network for people diagnosed with Parkinson's, reveals perceptions of, experiences with, and preferences for telehealth during COVID-19.
2. 2
Research Goals and Methodology
MyParkinsonsTeam 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 23, 2020 to July 7, 2020. A total of 471 members who live in
the United States participated in the survey – 387 patients and 84 caregivers.
Unless otherwise specified, results shown are among Parkinson’s patients (and not
caregivers).
3. 3
Prior to the Pandemic, 59% Were Aware of Telehealth; Now 93% of
Respondents Have Heard of It
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=387)
59%
93%
Prior to pandemic Since pandemic began
Awareness of Telehealth Services
4. 4
The Usage of Telehealth has Increased Over 500% Since the Pandemic
Started Among MyParkinsonsTeam Members to July 2020
11%
61%
Prior to the pandemic Since pandemic began
Usage of Telehealth Services
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=359)
5. 5
Those Who Have Used Telehealth Are More Likely to Use It in the Future
(53%) Than Those Who Have Not Tried It (26%)
26%
53%
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= 139, 220)
6. 6
About Two-Thirds of Those Who Have Used Telehealth Say They Are
Comfortable With It
4% 5%
23% 20%
48%
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=220)
68%
7. 7
16%
52%
32%
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 Between March and April
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=220)
Doctors “Seen” With Telehealth Services
8. 8
45%
27%
22%
6%
One Two Three or four Five or more
55% Have Had Two or More Telehealth Appointments
Approximately how many telehealth appointments have you had since the COVID-19 pandemic
began? (Sample size=220)
Number of Telehealth Appointments From March through July
9. 9
80%
88%
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=105, 185)
Previously Seen That Doctor
10. 10
Two-Thirds Are Satisfied With Their PCP Telehealth Appointment
3% 5%
29%
23%
41%
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?
(n=105)
64%
11. 11
70% Are Satisfied With Their Specialist Telehealth Appointment
4% 3%
24% 25%
45%
1 - Not at all
comfortable
2 3 - Neutral 4 5 - Very
comfortable
Satisfaction with Specialist Telehealth Appointment
How satisfied are you with your telehealth experience(s) with the specialist(s)? (n=185)
70%
12. 12
We Asked, “Do These Statements Apply More to In-person or Telehealth
Appointments?” About 11 Different Statements (Full Text Below)
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
13. 13
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?
14. 14
4%
6%
7%
12%
15%
26%
27%
55%
57%
57%
64%
7%
29%
53%
59%
51%
24%
66%
32%
30%
23%
22%
89%
65%
40%
30%
34%
50%
7%
13%
13%
20%
15%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Provides a more thorough exam
Feels more personal
Results in clearer next steps
Gives answers/info I need
Provider listens /have their full attention
Is better for urgent concerns
Feeling unanswered questions/concerns
Is better for routine matters
Is safer for me
Is easier for me
Is more convenient for me
Telehealth No difference In-person at office
Those Who Have Tried Telehealth Before Think Better for Routine Matters,
Convenience, Safer, and Easier Are Benefits of Telehealth vs. In-person
Do these statements apply more to in-person or telehealth appointments? (n=220)
Statements That Apply More to In-person Appointments vs. Telehealth
Among Patients Who Have Tried Telehealth Before
15. 15
2%
4%
7%
7%
7%
26%
37%
40%
41%
49%
58%
6%
15%
49%
41%
31%
15%
48%
18%
26%
14%
16%
92%
81%
44%
52%
62%
59%
15%
42%
32%
37%
26%
0% 10% 20% 30% 40% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100%
Provides a more thorough exam
Feels more personal
Gives answers/info I need
Results in clearer next steps
Provider listens /have their full attention
Is better for urgent concerns
Feeling unanswered questions/concerns
Is easier for me
Is safer for me
Is more convenient for me
Is better for routine matters
Telehealth No difference In-person at office
Those Who Have Not Tried Telehealth Before Are Generally Less Likely to
See Positives for Telehealth vs. In-person Appointments
Do these statements apply more to in-person or telehealth appointments? (n=167)
Statements That Apply More to In-person Appointments vs. Telehealth
Among Patients Who Have Not Tried Telehealth Before