98% of Med Students Prefer Face-to-Face Visits Over Telehealth Visits http://t.co/UpATHcGHYZ #telemedicine #hitsm pic.twitter.com/PxmPYvFP0b
— HIT Consultant Media (@hitconsultant) September 24, 2015
I found this graphic interesting. There’s little doubt that people are looking at healthcare information online. They’re googling their conditions and talking to their friends. However, this graphic seems to give the impression that most people prefer in person patient visits compared with telemedicine visits. There are two issues with this graphic.
First, of course given the option we want to have the face to face visit. That doesn’t talk about whether it’s necessary or whether it provides better care or if it’s the right way to do a visit. Second, telemedicine isn’t widespread enough for most people to really have an opinion on telemedicine. Until you’ve done it and until doctors get use to the telemedicine modality, then of course we’re going to think that an in person visit is better.
I’m personally extremely optimistic about the potential of telemedicine. Sure, we’d all love to have the nice touch and feel of an office visit. However, there are just as many things about an office visit that we’ll happily never have to do again.