The German Association for Information Technology, Telecommunications and New Media, Bitkom for short, has just published the analysis of a telephone survey on how the German population stands on video consultation hours in the times of COVID-19. According to this, two-thirds of those interviewed by telephone believe that the risk of infection with the virus would be reduced from the age of 16 if online consultation hours were offered primarily for older people and persons from risk groups. The Bitkom survey was conducted between March 11 and 15 with 1,002 selected persons. An earlier survey a year ago showed very clearly that the willingness of Germans has increased in the course of the corona crisis because in 2019 only 30 percent could imagine a virtual visit to the doctor. Five percent used the online service at that time. For Achim Berg, as Bitkom President, this is a clear signal to maintain the widespread expansion of the possibilities of a video consultation hour, especially since online services are currently being made available to doctors free of charge. Nothing more stands in the way of further telemedical expansion, as shown by the crisis-related popularity of the German population, which has grown in the meantime, probably with a rapid acclimatization effect.
Source: Aerzteblatt