Telehealth use around the world: Primary care physicians report

After the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth remains a tool that primary care physicians use for examining patients, in the United States and around the world.

But across 10 developed nations, not every country has the same level of usage by physicians.

Telehealth boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Governments in developed nations around the world loosened regulations and enhanced payments and reimbursements for telehealth, according to a new issue brief by the nonprofit Commonwealth Fund, which researches and promotes high-performing, equitable health care.

Researchers have examined the benefits and challenges of telehealth for patients. There are policy questions and decisions that could affect how telehealth remains integrated into primary care.

But physicians’ and other providers’ perspectives are less known, according to the Commonwealth Fund.

“How Primary Care Physicians Experience Telehealth: An International Comparison,” examines providers’ responses about the usability of online and telephonic meetings with patients.

How does the United States compare with nine other developed nations? This data logs the percentage of patient visits conducted via telehealth in a typical week.

Findings come from the 2022 Commonwealth Fund International Health Policy Survey of Primary Care Physicians.