RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Associations between Patient- and Provider Level Factors, and Telemedicine Use in Family Medicine Clinics
JF The Journal of the American Board of Family
                Medicine
JO J Am Board Fam Med
FD American Board of Family Medicine
SP 457
OP 464
DO 10.3122/jabfm.2022.03.210416
VO 35
IS 3
A1 Adepoju, Omolola E.
A1 Tran, Luan
A1 Agwuncha, Rosemary
A1 Chae, Minji
A1 Franco-Castano, Jason
A1 Angelocci, Tracy
A1 Liaw, Winston
YR 2022
UL http://www.jabfm.org/content/35/3/457.abstract
AB Introduction: Increased telemedicine implementation may promote primary care access. However, gaps in telemedicine uptake may perpetuate existing disparities in primary care access. This study assessed provider- and patient-level factors associated with telemedicine use in community-based family practice clinics.Methods: This retrospective study used electronic medical records data from a large Federally Qualified Health Center. A 3-level mixed-effects logistic regression model explored predictors of telemedicine use, with provider and patient as random effects.Results: The analytic sample included 37,428 unique patients with 106,567 primary care encounters with 42 family medicine providers. Fifty-seven percent of the sample identified as Hispanic, 28% non-Hispanic White, and 11% non-Hispanic Black. Compared to Hispanics, non-Hispanic White patients had 61% higher odds of a telemedicine visit, and non-Hispanic Black patients had 32% higher odds of a telemedicine visit. The odds of telemedicine use were lower for those who were uninsured. Those residing in metropolitan areas or medically underserved areas had greater odds of a telemedicine appointment. Commute time exhibited a dose-response relationship with telemedicine use. Provider characteristics were not significantly associated with telemedicine use.Discussion: While provider characteristics were not associated with telemedicine use, greater focus on patient characteristics specific to the population served is necessary.