Association between the Number of Consecutively Scheduled Telehealth Visits and Video Usage

Abstract

Background: Schedule design may contribute to successful completion of synchronous telehealth visits by video (versus audio-only). Clustering telehealth visits on schedules may minimize workflow inefficiencies. Methods: We analyzed data from 21 primary care sites in an urban public health care system from March 1 to September 30, 2022. We used linear regression to test for associations between the number of consecutive telehealth visits scheduled per clinicians’ half-day sessions (1 to 9+) and the proportion of telehealth visits scheduled and, separately, completed as video (versus audio-only). Results: For each additional consecutive telehealth visit scheduled, there was a 6.85% [95% confidence interval 4.80 − 8.90%] increase in the absolute percentage of visits scheduled as video visits. For each additional consecutive telehealth visit scheduled, there was a 2.88% [0.59 − 5.18%] increase in the absolute percentage of visits completed as video visits. Conclusions: Clustered telehealth visits are positively associated with scheduling and completion of telehealth visits by video.

Keywords

• telehealth
• primary care
• schedules
• administration