Allergy/immunology 2021 telehealth survey results are in! The AMA conducted a national telehealth survey between Nov. 1 and Dec. 31, 2021 to gather insights on current experiences and expected future use to inform telehealth research, advocacy and resource development. The College promoted this survey to our members in our role as an AMA Telehealth Immersion Program Collaborator. A total of 2,232 physicians completed the survey, and of those, 136 or 6.1% were allergists/immunologists. View the AMA special report of 2021 allergy/immunology telehealth survey results. The College will use these findings to develop resources for our members and to inform our future telehealth advocacy efforts.
Allergists’ interest in continuing to use telehealth in the future remains strong. However, barriers to providing telehealth services still exist, with lack of insurance coverage and low reimbursement topping the list. Patient barriers to using telehealth also remain, including access to technology and digital literacy. Key findings for allergy/immunology include:
- 92% of allergy/immunology respondents currently use some form of telehealth – and many are using multiple modalities. Of those who are using it,
- 97% use live audio-visual interactive telehealth visits.
- 59% use telephone/audio-only calls.
- 16% use asynchronous telehealth (the acquisition and storing of clinical information, e.g., data, image, sound, video, that is then forwarded to another site for clinical evaluation. Examples include e-visits, digital check-ins via patient portal, and emails).
- Respondents indicated nearly 1 out of every 5 patient visits are conducted via telehealth.
- The vast majority of allergy telehealth visits are with established patients. 68% of respondents report that more than 75% of their virtual visits are conducted with established patients; another 17% said 51-75% of their virtual visits are with established patients.
- Allergists are using telehealth for many aspects of care:
- 83% use it for treatment or therapy.
- 78% use it for screening, assessments or diagnosis.
- 76% use it for follow-up care (chronic care, post hospitalization).
- 58% use it for continuous monitoring.
- 42% use it for intake or triage.
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Allergists are using a variety of platforms to deliver telehealth services. Only 30% have telehealth access directly from their EHR. The top six platforms are:
Doxy.me 38%
Audio-only telephone visits 33%
Doximity Video 32%
Zoom 25%
EHR telehealth module 20%
FaceTime 13% - 70% indicate patients have better access to care since using telehealth.
- Half of respondents believe patients have higher satisfaction since offering telehealth.
- 50% agree or strongly agree telehealth enables them to provide high-quality care. 29% disagree, however, and 20% remain neutral.
- The top three perceived patient barriers to using telehealth include access to technology, digital literacy, and a preference for in-person visits.
- Lack of insurance coverage and uncertain payer reimbursement are top barriers to allergists implementing and continuing telehealth services.
- There was an overall low awareness among allergists of telehealth research or best practices, indicating a need for better dissemination of resources and information.
- Respondents indicated a need for additional research to support telehealth.
The College would like to extend our thanks to the AMA for this survey and for the allergy-specific telehealth survey report. The data is invaluable and will help guide the College’s future steps in the telehealth arena.
For more information on how allergists are using telehealth, view the AMA/ACAAI Clinical Case Study: Telehealth for Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology). This webinar from last February showcases examples of how telehealth is currently being leveraged by allergists/immunologists to provide allergy, asthma, and immunology care. The webinar outlines tips to succeed with telehealth in allergy and immunology care.
For comparison purposes, view the full AMA 2021 Telehealth Survey Findings Report (based on results from all 2,232 participants throughout multiple specialties).
