How women have used telehealth during the pandemic

Telehealth cared for women during the pandemic. With the industry expected to be worth USD$70bn by 2026, here’s five reasons which explain its popularity

According to research in a 2021 Health and Human Services report, the number of telehealth users was 63x higher than it was in 2019. 

Prior to the pandemic, telehealth (accessing healthcare services via phone or video calls) was available for patients who were unable to leave their home or who lived remotely. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth became the safest option for patients and healthcare staff. 

Here are some statistics on how the rise of telehealth has helped women.


Women are more likely to use telemedicine than men 

24% of women arranged at least one telemedicine appointment, followed by 19% of men. 


Most women said telemedicine care comparable to in-person appointments

For those women who received telemedicine care: 

  • 62% said it was ‘comparable’ to in-person care
  • 25.9% disagreed and said it was better
  • 70% of women rated their telehealth experience with mental health services as ‘very good’

Some women find in-person appointments embarrassing and for those with children or mobility issues, it can be a huge challenge to get to an appointment. Telehealth alleviates some of these problems, allowing for a more pleasant experience. 


Women aged 50-64 used telehealth the most

  • Before the pandemic, only 13% of women aged 50-64 ever had a telehealth appointment.
  • But between March - December 2020, that figure rose to 42%. 


Most women did not use telehealth appointments for COVID-19 

The top reasons women sought telehealth appointments were for:

  • Fewer than 10% of telehealth appointments were for COVID-19 
  • Mental health services totaled 17%
  • Management of a chronic condition 18%
  • Minor illness or injury 21%


Patients enjoy texting telehealth

When questioned about text-based telehealth:

  • 23% of respondents claimed financial hardship, due to missing work for an appointment, was a reason they delayed making an in-person appointment. Texting was a way around this.
Share

Featured Articles

Johnson & Johnson: Turning supplier spend into local support

Johnson & Johnson’s Global Supplier Diversity & Inclusion team is growing spending with social enterprises around the globe to expand its impact

Seasonal Affective Disorder’s impact on health & solutions

Dr Ravi Gill & Dr. Naomi Newman-Beinart discuss Seasonal Affective Disorder and its treatments, from vitamin D spray to light therapy

CGI teams up with Totalmobile for digital healthcare service

CGI is driving efficiency in healthcare. Hear from Helena Jochberger, at Manufacturing Digital LIVE, a free virtual event on Wednesday 6th December 2023

Deloitte: generative AI can improve access to healthcare

Technology & AI

Wipro & NVIDIA’s revolutionary healthcare uses generative AI

AI & ML

Healthtech platform CoverSelf extends seed round to US$8.2m

Technology & AI