Primary Care Telehealth Visits and Its Association with Provider Discussion on Colorectal Cancer Screening in the United States

Telemed J E Health. 2024 May;30(5):1325-1329. doi: 10.1089/tmj.2023.0605. Epub 2024 Jan 24.

Abstract

Background: Provider discussions about colorectal cancer (CRC) screening are the single most important predictor for CRC screening uptake. Methods: Using cross-sectional data from the 2022 Health Information National Trends Survey, we evaluated the relationship between telehealth use and provider discussion about CRC screening with a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: Of adults aged 45-75 years, 20.3% used telehealth services in the past year of which 69.5% had discussed CRC screening with their providers. There was no difference in provider discussion about CRC screening between telehealth users and nonusers (OR 1.26; 95% confidence interval 0.83-1.90). Conclusion: Telehealth is an important adjunct in health care delivery, enhancing patient-provider discussions about CRC screening.

Keywords: colorectal cancer screening; health care provider; telehealth.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Colorectal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Early Detection of Cancer* / statistics & numerical data
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Primary Health Care* / statistics & numerical data
  • Telemedicine* / statistics & numerical data
  • United States