Experience of telehealth for receipt of primary health care: an online survey of young people in a geographic region of Aotearoa New Zealand
Sally B. Rose
A * , Susan M. Garrett A and Eileen McKinlay A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Primary Health Care and General Practice, University of Otago, Wellington, PO Box 7343, Wellington South 6242, New Zealand.
* Correspondence to: sally.rose@otago.ac.nz
Australian Journal of Primary Health 29(4) 319-326 https://doi.org/10.1071/PY22073
Submitted: 31 March 2022 Accepted: 13 December 2022 Published: 20 January 2023
© 2023 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing on behalf of La Trobe University
Abstract
Background: Telehealth became more widely used when the global COVID-19 pandemic restricted access to in-person consultations for primary care during periods of ‘lockdown’.
Methods: In 2021 (August–September), 15-to 25-year-olds in the Wellington region of Aotearoa New Zealand were invited to participate in an online survey that aimed to find out about telehealth experiences, perceived advantages and disadvantages, and willingness to use it for receipt of primary care.
Results: Surveys were completed by 346 participants, 133 of whom had ever used telehealth (38%). Overall, 73% (84/115) were happy with health care received via telehealth, but only 26% preferred it to in-person consultations. Perceived benefits related to convenience and time efficiency, but participants had concerns about the inability to be physically examined, technological issues, clarity around follow-up actions, payment and lack of privacy. All participants had access to a phone or device, yet almost half reported challenges with connectivity, coverage or data that might limit their ability to access telehealth (47.3%, 159/336). Half of participants wanted to use telehealth in future (preferring phone over video (160/315)).
Conclusions: Young people surveyed acknowledged the convenience of telehealth, but many were hesitant about receiving primary care in this way. Understanding young people’s reservations and provision of detailed information about what telehealth entails will help prepare and support them to use telehealth in future.
Keywords: adolescents, COVID-19, patient experience, primary care, telehealth, telemedicine, young people.
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