In 2020, the world turned upside down as the COVID-19 pandemic transformed the way we think about healthcare. Among its most significant shifts was the rapid adoption of telehealth services, which created a digital bridge between patients and providers as a temporary solution to the accessibility challenges the world was facing. While telehealth was not a new concept, the pandemic accelerated its widespread adoption, turning it from an underutilized option into a critical tool for modern healthcare.
Now, as telehealth continues to revolutionize access to care, my research focuses on exploring how likely people are to continue utilizing these online platforms in the future. By understanding these trends, we can better predict the next chapter of healthcare choices and refine telehealth to meet evolving patient needs throughout the country.
A Lifeline for the Busy, the Remote, and the Future of Healthcare
Telehealth is not a new concept and was not invented during the pandemic, however the social distancing guidelines created during the Covid outbreak helped to increase its usage. For college students of all ages, Telehealth offers a solution to common challenges such as navigating unfamiliar healthcare systems, balancing busy schedules, or transportation issues. However, while the convenience of Telehealth is not debated, its acceptance has been mixed, and this work was undertaken to help understand why.
Key Findings
After surveying 250 Indiana University students, several key findings emerged:
Trust in Providers: When asked about their level of trust in doctors, 84% of respondents indicated a positive level of trust—29% strongly agreed, and 55% somewhat agreed. This demonstrates a high level of trust, which is an essential factor in both in-person and online healthcare.
Comfort with Technology: Regarding their comfort with technology, 85% of respondents feel very or somewhat comfortable, with 52% stating that they were very comfortable. This data suggests that technology is not a significant barrier for Indiana University students in using online healthcare services.
Perceived Helpfulness: Questions throughout the survey explored perceptions of telehealth’s helpfulness in managing healthcare needs. While 46% of the students found telehealth helpful, 21% were neutral or found it unhelpful. This indicates areas where telehealth services could use improvement.
Preference for In-Person Care: When comparing the effectiveness of in-person care and telehealth, in-person care was preferred significantly more. Nearly half (49%) of respondents found that in-person care was very effective. However, only 11% of students found telehealth to be very effective. While 39% rated telehealth as somewhat effective, 50% expressed neutrality or found it ineffective.
The findings throughout the survey showed that while Indiana University college students generally trust healthcare providers and are comfortable using technology, telehealth services are perceived as less effective than in-person care.
Enhancing Telehealth for Tomorrow
Although online healthcare has many benefits, it has not yet achieved the level of overall satisfaction currently associated with traditional in-person services. These insights highlight the need to enhance telehealth to address the specific concerns of college students and similar populations. Healthcare professionals must work to improve security measures, ensure continuity with familiar providers, and enhance the overall quality of care delivered through virtual platforms.
Why College Students’ Opinions Matter
College students represent the future of healthcare engagement. Their attitudes will shape not only their healthcare decisions and choices but also the trends throughout the entire industry. By understanding their trends, the healthcare industry as a whole can refine online healthcare to better serve the tech-savvy time contracted generation increasing not only access but also potentially affordability.
Closing the Gap
My research offers a comprehensive understanding of Indiana University-Bloomington college students’ perspectives and attitudes toward online healthcare services, which may potentially impact their future healthcare decisions. Through surveys across a variety of demographics and backgrounds on campus, this research provides insight into these attitudes and how they might influence the trajectory of healthcare delivery models.
Ultimately, this work substantiates previous studies which have shown that while telehealth is an acceptable option for many, in-person visits remain the preferred method of care. This conclusion remains true even in a population of college students who demonstrate a high comfort level with technology and minimal barriers to its use. Notably, this research was conducted after sufficient time had passed for adaptation to telehealth, yet the preference for in-person care remains consistent.
This research opens opportunities for further studies to explore the reasons behind college students’ perceptions. By doing so, healthcare systems can work toward better aligning with the needs and preferences of patients, paving the way for changes that enhance accessibility, affordability, privacy, safety, and ultimately the quality of care.
Lindsey Roskoph is a senior at Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public & Environmental Affairs.
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