February 22, 2021 – Vizient, Inc. (Irving, TX) released a report indicating that telehealth has improved access to care for some patients while restriction of family and caregiver presence during the pandemic has been a major barrier for others.
The report, “Connecting With Patients During COVID-19: Perspectives on Safety,” is a summary of focus group discussions and pulse surveys conducted by Vizient from May 2020 through January 2021.
When having to access care, the most preferred face-to-face setting remains visits in their primary care physician’s office while telehealth remains the most preferred setting when seeking care for minor illnesses. The full report can be accessed here.
The latest survey, conducted in December, included approximately 600 respondents. Additionally, Vizient hosted four focus groups that included 24 patients from 11 Vizient member healthcare organizations to gather perspective on their experience engaging with providers during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Key takeaways from the surveys include insights on:
- Preferred care settings
- Telehealth
- Vaccinations