Evidence of Patient Satisfaction with Virtual Care
While concerns about depersonalization in healthcare delivery deserve careful consideration, a growing body of research challenges these assumptions. Multiple studies demonstrate that virtual care strengthens patient engagement and satisfaction:
- A 2024 meta-analysis assessing patient satisfaction with telemedicine consultations offers evidence that patients generally exhibit high levels of satisfaction with the virtual model.
- According to research from Statista, as of 2023, over half of patients surveyed in the United States indicated increased satisfaction with their care as a result of telemedicine.
- Mayo Clinic research found that “quality metrics improved, along with significant improvement in patient satisfaction scores, as well as physician and support staff engagement and satisfaction” due to implementing advanced team-based care models that leverage in-room virtual care support.
After implementing a Virtual Nursing program, Florida-based Lee Health saw a 20% jump in patient satisfaction as reflected in HCAHPS scores as a result of enhancing the quality and immediacy of patient engagement. Patients report appreciating the availability of virtual nurses, who typically offer more focused interactions as they are less apt than bedside staff to be interrupted or juggling multiple tasks. “The personal nature of two-way video breaks through the glass,” said Lee Health’s System Director of Virtual Health and Telemedicine, Jon Witenko. “That human connection makes all the difference.”
A recent Becker’s Hospital Review article captures healthcare leaders’ sentiments that virtual care can enhance the overall patient experience by addressing bottlenecks in traditional workflows, “allowing nurses to have more time to engage meaningfully with patients.”
Collectively, the evidence highlights how virtual care drives better patient experience by fostering a sense of connectivity and attentiveness when implemented as part of a collaborative care model.
