A Description of Telehealth Use Among Sexually Transmitted Infection Providers in the United States, 2021

Abstract

Background: Telehealth offers one approach to improving access to sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and care services. Therefore, we described recent telehealth use among those providing STI-related care and identified opportunities for improving STI service delivery.

Materials and methods: Using the DocStyles Web-based, panel survey conducted by Porter Novelli from September 14 to November 10, 2021, 1500 healthcare providers were asked about their current telehealth usage, demographics, and practice characteristics, and compared STI providers (≥10% of time spent on STI care and prevention) to non-STI providers.

Results: Among those whose practice consisted of at least 10% STI visits (n = 597), 81.7% used telehealth compared with 75.7% for those whose practice consisted of less than 10% STI visits (n = 903). Among the providers with at least 10% STI visits in their practice, telehealth use was highest among obstetrics and gynecology specialists, those practicing in suburban areas, and those practicing in the South. Among providers whose practice consisted of at least 10% STI visits and who used telehealth (n = 488), the majority were female and obstetrics and gynecology specialists practicing in suburban areas of the South. After controlling for age, gender, provider specialty, and geographic location of their practice, providers whose practice consisted of at least 10% STI visits had increased odds (odds ratio, 1.51; 95% confidence interval, 1.16-1.97) of using telehealth compared with providers whose visits consisted of less than 10% STI visits.

Conclusions: Given the widespread use of telehealth, efforts to optimize delivery of STI care and prevention via telehealth are important to improve access to services and address STIs in the United States.