CVS Health’s 2021 Health Care Insights Study revealed that an in-person medical visit was not a preferred option to many during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A number of patients have opted for alternative medical consults and health management. The research also showed that 77% of the respondents said the coronavirus global pandemic taught them to be more mindful about their health.
"The pandemic really shined a bright glaring light on those issues," Dr. Daniel Knecht, vice president of clinical products at CVS Health, told Fierce Healthcare. “And it also raised the importance of better managing whole health.”
Another point of interest from the study is the age range of respondents who are veering away from the traditional channels of health care. Younger people between the ages of 18 and 34 trusted primary care providers the least, compared to those who are 65 and above, who still opt to turn to primary care physicians for in-person visits, according to Fierce Healthcare.
The study also found out that overall trust in primary care physicians declined this year (49% in 2021 vs. 59% in 2020).
Notably, 75% of the poll participants said they find it necessary to use digital tools to monitor their health, according to the study. This showed a increase from 70% in 2020, in the use of the health/self-care monitoring tools, which includes using wearables and apps.
