Physicians Strongly Support Telemedicine for Improved Patient Care
United States, Wednesday, 18 December 2024.
A Doximity report reveals 83% of physicians advocate for permanent telemedicine integration, citing enhancements in patient satisfaction, disease management, and chronic care management.
Strong Physician Endorsement
According to Doximity’s latest State of Telemedicine Report released on December 17, 2024, an overwhelming majority of physician telemedicine users (83%) want virtual care to become a permanent part of their clinical practice [1][2]. The comprehensive survey, which included over 1,100 physicians across ten specialties and 131 nurse practitioners [1][2], demonstrates that telemedicine has evolved from a pandemic necessity to an essential healthcare delivery tool. Notably, 96% of physicians view telemedicine as either complementary to or a substitute for traditional in-person care [1].
Enhanced Disease Management and Patient Outcomes
The report reveals significant improvements in healthcare delivery, with 67% of physicians reporting enhanced disease management through telemedicine integration [1][4]. This figure rises even higher among oncologists, reaching 77% [1][3]. Furthermore, 84% of physicians noted that telemedicine improves continuity of care for patients with chronic or complex conditions [1][2]. The impact on patient outcomes is equally impressive, with 64% of physicians reporting improved patient results [1][4].
Patient Satisfaction and Healthcare Access
Patient response to telemedicine has been remarkably positive. Among those who had a telemedicine visit in the past year, 95% reported maintained or improved care satisfaction [1][3]. The accessibility benefits are clear, with 78% of patients reporting improved access to healthcare services [1][2]. Even more striking is that 78% of all patients surveyed want access to virtual care options in the future, with this number jumping to 95% among those who have experienced telemedicine in the past year [1][3].
Future of Healthcare Delivery
Dr. Nate Gross, co-founder and chief strategy officer at Doximity, emphasizes that ‘telemedicine and in-person care are allies, not competitors, in providing timely, comprehensive, and patient-focused care’ [1][2]. The study also reveals that 69% of physicians believe telemedicine has helped them better address patients’ social determinants of health [1], suggesting a broader impact on healthcare equity and accessibility. With 77% of physician telemedicine users reporting weekly usage [2], virtual care is clearly becoming an integral part of modern healthcare delivery.