Switching To Telehealth

In a move to meet their patients halfway and adapt to their own lifestyle preferences, more psychiatric nurse practitioners lead a group of clinicians more likely to shift their practices to telehealth only, 19% in all, according to research published in JAMA’s Health Forum.

By contrast, 13% of psychiatrists shifted to telehealth only in 2022. Those working in highly populated counties with higher real estate prices (17%) – typically urban areas – were more likely to shift compared to those working in low density areas (9%). Pediatric focused practices (7%) were among the least likely to switch compared to general clinicians (14%) and females made the move more than males, 14% to 11%.

To some degree, women are turning to telehealth only in part due to demands co-managing a job, raising children and helping take care of elderly parents. But there is underlying reason - the tele-health system works well and patients women are treating find it easier to do talk therapy sessions over their phone. It wouldn’t be surprising to see another 19% or more make this move by 2030.

A “telehealth-only” practice was defined as a practice where more than 95% of visits were conducted virtually.