Telehealth in the context of COVID-19: An analysis of male usage and perceptions in comparison to in-person healthcare

Abstract

Background: Telehealth facilitates the provision of healthcare at a distance using technology. The emergence of COVID-19 saw rapid telehealth adoption. Although preliminary research has begun to report on this transition, few studies have analysed how men have interacted with telehealth during the pandemic. Aim: To study the characteristics of older men’s (a) use of telehealth services, and (b) their perceptions of telehealth in comparison to in-person healthcare using Andersen's Behavioural Model of Health Services Use. Method: Data were sourced from the Men Androgen Inflammation Lifestyle Environment and Stress (MAILES) study, which collected data on men’s demographic information, wellbeing, and healthcare utilisation during the pandemic. Results: Of the 731 male participants (M age= 69.5), 241 (33%) had used telehealth services since pandemic-related restrictions commenced in March 2020. Most men found telehealth services to be just as good (63%) as in-person services. Hierarchical logistic regressions found factors of need to be the only predictors of men’s use of telehealth services, and their perceptions of telehealth compared to in-person care. Men who used telehealth services were more likely to have chronic conditions (OR=1.44). Men who perceived telehealth services as just as good or better than in-person care were significantly more likely to have chronic conditions (OR=1.63), and significantly less likely to have clinically significant symptoms of depression (OR=0.32). Conclusion: Telehealth services are popular and useful for men with chronic conditions during the pandemic but may not be preferred by men with depression. The implications of these findings and future research recommendations are discussed.