Remote access, real impacts: Assessing telehealth attitudes and usage in Northwest Colorado

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DENVER, Aug. 14, 2024 ~ The Office of eHealth Innovation (OeHI) and Connected Nation (CN) have joined forces to release a new telehealth report titled "Remote access, remote impacts: Assessing telehealth attitudes and usage in northwest Colorado." The report, which was conducted by OeHI in partnership with CN, aims to shed light on the current state of telehealth in rural Colorado and provide recommendations for improving access and usage.

According to Lieutenant Governor Dianne Primavera, who also serves as the Director of the Office of Saving People Money on Health Care, telehealth is a crucial tool in ensuring that Coloradans have access to quality care. She stated, "As we continue our work to strengthen health care in our state, we are prioritizing understanding the specific needs of our rural communities. Through expanding access to integrative medical care through platforms such as telehealth, we can make sure rural Coloradans have the same opportunities to thrive."

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The report surveyed 800 adults in rural Colorado households located in Delta, Garfield, Mesa, Moffat, Montrose, Rio Blanco, and Routt counties. It aimed to not only examine how these households are currently using telehealth services but also identify any barriers preventing them from doing so.

Chris McGovern, Director of Research Development at CN, explained that the data gathered from the surveys was used to develop four recommendations for promoting telehealth access and usage. He stated, "The surveys not only examined how rural Coloradans are using telehealth services but also looked at the barriers that prevent some households from using those services."

The full report can be found on this webpage: https://bit.ly/COTelehealth. It also includes online resources for those interested in learning more about telehealth.

Some key findings from the report include:

- The most popular form of telehealth services used by respondents is through telephone calls.

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- More than one-third of respondents (38%) use remote monitoring health services, such as remote blood pressure monitoring.

- The majority of telehealth users agree that the services save time and money and are as effective as in-person visits.

- Telehealth has prevented an average of 5.8 in-person visits to a doctor for 64% of users in the past year.

- Despite its benefits, 72% of non-telehealth users stated that even if it was available to them, they would not use it.

- Top concerns about using telehealth services include data privacy, concerns about adequate addressing of health issues, and worries about the quality of care provided.

Based on these findings, the report provides several recommendations for improving telehealth access and usage. These include increasing consumer awareness about the quality and effectiveness of telehealth services, developing targeted campaigns to address specific populations' concerns, and implementing comprehensive awareness campaigns beyond the healthcare industry.

In conclusion, the "Remote access, remote impacts" report highlights the importance of telehealth in providing reliable and quality care to rural Coloradans. By addressing barriers and increasing awareness, it is hoped that more individuals will have access to this valuable tool for their healthcare needs.
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