Caregivers’ experience with telehealth during Covid-19: a quantitative study in the United States

Although home caregivers have been increasingly recognized as essential contributors to healthcare delivery, their perceived difficulties and requisites remain underexposed. With the emergence of telehealth adoption during Covid-19, caregivers are forced to be part of this technology. However, little attention has been given to their perceptions of telehealth technologies. This study explores the factors that impact caregivers’ satisfaction with telehealth. We found that caregivers who thought that telehealth makes them use their time better are more likely to be satisfied with using it during Covid-19 (OR= 2.33 [1.89-15.35], P=0.006). In addition, the more caregivers thought telehealth helps them avoid problems of parking, driving, and delaying treatment, the more they were satisfied with their online visits. An increase in telehealth use due to Covid-19 made caregivers more satisfied with using it. Efforts to improve telehealth should not only focus on the design of the technology used and its usefulness. They, however, need to consider caregivers as part of the healthcare delivery process and adapt the technology to their needs.