One Cause At A Time
Telehealth & COVID-19 in Chicago: A Follow Up



Back in April, we highlighted a West Monroe Partners Healthcare & Life Sciences Survey focusing on the use of telehealth services in Chicago, Seattle, and Minneapolis. Although the initial study was completed on the cusp of the COVID-19 outbreak, West Monroe Partners used the March results as a touchstone to document changes in Chicago resident attitudes towards medical telehealth services in the wake of the state’s fight against COVID-19. (You can read West Monroe Partners’ summary here).
West Monroe Partners recently released the results of their July follow-up study in telehealth services. Focusing on a smaller respondent base (500 Chicago residents compared to 1,000 residents of three cities including Chicago), the July West Monroe Partners telehealth study focused on documenting not just changes in telehealth adoption, but how the current COVID-19 pandemic is reshaping overall health care delivery. (Almost two-thirds of respondents reside in Cook County) The West Monroe Partners provides some key insights into how attitudes towards telehealth are changing, and how other healthcare-related attitudes and behaviors are being shaped.
- Not only are people increasing their use of provider telehealth services, but they are also adopting more positive attitudes towards those services: Although 18% of March respondents indicated that they had used telehealth services in the past year, that number rose to 86% in July. Attitudes towards telehealth have also improved, with respondents who were unwilling to engage in any telehealth services dropped from 47% in March to 38%. Respondents also reported increased trust and positive experiences when working with providers via telehealth services; however, providers need to maintain a level of flexibility and transparency with patients.
- Telehealth usage will continue post-pandemic whether alone or integrated with in-person services: Twenty-five (25) percent of Chicago respondents stated that they would utilize telehealth services over in-person visits after the current pandemic ends. Thirty-seven (37) percent of respondents would take a mixed approach to access health care services, integrating both in-person visits (for more involved issues) and telehealth for basic follow-up visits. Although convenience and access to health care will be a constant concern post-COVID-19, telehealth will continue to be a channel for patients to access health care services.
- Healthcare providers face multiple challenges in providing thorough quality of care and appropriate “bedside manner” through telehealth: Approximately 26% of respondents over 65 years of age indicated that they would “never” opt for telehealth over in-person visits due to concerns around overall quality of care and provision of services. (Accessibility is also a key issue, as one respondent indicated that telehealth is “pointless” for people who are deaf or have specific hearing issues). Understanding the nature of challenges for telehealth adoption can provide providers an opportunity to gain insight into ensuring a more “personal” touch and overall quality of care.
- Generational differences provide some insight into attitudes and behaviors towards telehealth adoption. Twenty-six (26) percent of respondents over the age of 65 reported that they would never choose telehealth over in-person visits while fifteen (15) percent would schedule more in-person appointments after the pandemic due to lack of interpersonal contact. Although more respondents indicated a greater trend towards frequently checking their out-of-pocket expenses, the number of Gen Z respondents who felt “in control” of their health care dropped by 15 percentage points. Gen Z respondents were more likely to have lost health insurance as well as engage in telehealth.
Telehealth services are reshaping health care access and delivery as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although health care providers are learning to adjust to these changes, understanding and adopting more effective strategies can ensure the quality of care and satisfaction for people and communities to stay healthy.
If you have comments or questions, please leave them down below or join the conversation via our Facebook page. If you wish to enquire privately, you are welcome to use this email contact form.
And as always, thanks for reading!
Filed under:
Commentary, Community, Digital Excellence & Literacy, Uncategorized
Tags:
chicago, community, digital excellence, health care, technology, West Monroe Partners
-
Advertisement:
-
Advertisement:
-
Welcome to ChicagoNow.
-
Meet The Blogger
Gordon Dymowski
As a professional, I’ve worked with – and admire – nonprofits, social enterprise, and other mission-driven community organizations. I enjoy learning about how many organizations are using technology and social networks to drive their mission. I also enjoy writing about them, and sharing that information with others. For more about me, please visit http://www.gordondymowski.com
-
Recent posts
-
Telehealth & COVID-19 in Chicago: A Follow Up »
Gordon Dymowski on One Cause At A TimePosted today at 11:31 am -
Resuming the Linux Laptop Lifestyle »
Gordon Dymowski on One Cause At A TimePosted September 8, 2020 at 4:13 am -
BOOK REVIEW: Star Trek – The Klingon Art of War »
Gordon Dymowski on One Cause At A TimePosted September 1, 2020 at 8:11 am -
Above the Waves: Improving Student Mental Health Through Technology »
Gordon Dymowski on One Cause At A TimePosted August 5, 2020 at 5:50 am -
Meet Your Neighbor: Ladder Up & Get My Payment Illinois Coalition »
Gordon Dymowski on One Cause At A TimePosted July 12, 2020 at 11:02 am
-
-
Monthly Archives
- September 2020
- August 2020
- July 2020
- June 2020
- May 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- August 2019
- July 2019
- June 2019
- May 2019
- April 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- September 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- October 2016
- September 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- February 2015
- January 2015
- December 2014
- November 2014
- October 2014
- September 2014
- August 2014
- July 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- March 2014
- February 2014
- January 2014
- December 2013
- November 2013
- October 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- April 2013
- March 2013
- February 2013
- January 2013
- December 2012
- November 2012
- October 2012
- September 2012
- August 2012
-
Subscribe by Email
Get Updates Via E-Mail – Completely Spam Free
Latest on ChicagoNow
-
Please no more debates unless it is a duel
from cinnamon twists by cinnatwists
posted today at 1:34 pm -
Trump to Nazis: “Stand back and stand by”
from The Chicago Board of Tirade by Bob Abrams
posted today at 1:17 pm -
Telehealth & COVID-19 in Chicago: A Follow Up
from One Cause At A Time by Gordon Dymowski
posted today at 11:31 am -
As the presidential debate degenerated into an ugly fight over style, Trump blew it
from The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor by Dennis Byrne
posted today at 11:31 am -
A little post-debate refresher on ‘A Civil Tongue’ from Edwin Newman
from Margaret Serious by Margaret H. Laing
posted today at 10:50 am
Posts from related blogs
-
Small Business Blog
Most recent post: 7 Tips for Your Upcoming Business Trip
-
The Market Strategist
Most recent post: WFH (Working From Home) with Kids: Patience, Flexibility and Managing Expectations Are Key
-
Brand Talk Business Blog
Most recent post: Your Intellectual Property
More from News: Business & Legal
Read these ChicagoNow blogs
-
Cubs Den
Chicago Cubs news and comprehensive blog, featuring old school baseball writing combined with the latest statistical trends -
Pets in need of homes
Pets available for adoption in the Chicago area -
The Barbershop: Dennis Byrne, Proprietor
Chicago writer, editor and author blogs about today’s political and public policy issues.
Read these ChicagoNow Bloggers
-
radstarr
from Cut Out Kid: -
Erin Petron Gosser
from The Social Butterfly Mom: -
Gary Lucido
from Getting Real:
- About ChicagoNow
- •
- FAQs
- •
- Advertise
- •
- Recent posts RSS
- •
- Privacy policy (Updated)
- •
- Comment policy
- •
- Terms of service
- •
- Chicago Tribune Archives
- •
- Chicago Internet Marketing Services
- •
- Do not sell my personal info
©2020 CTMG – A Chicago Tribune website –
Crafted by the News Apps team