![]() ![]() These and other benefits of telehealth may make it an advantageous mode of healthcare delivery even in a post-pandemic world. Additionally, telehealth offers a way for patients to message providers and seek medical advice through online patient portals, further decreasing social contact amid the pandemic. ![]() Throughout the pandemic, telehealth has allowed for a transition to stay-at-home outpatient care, in order to preserve hospital space for COVID-19 patients, as well as promoting social distancing ( Wosik et al., 2020). Telehealth has vastly increased in use since the onset of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic ( Bokolo, 2021 Wosik et al., 2020). Telehealth is a virtual means of communicating medical information and needs between patient and provider that encompasses both synchronous (e.g., phone calls or virtual video visits), and asynchronous (e.g., secure messaging portals) services. ![]() However, our study shows that primary care virtual visits may be beneficial for autistic adults during and beyond the pandemic. We recognize that virtual visits may not work for all patients or in all situations. Virtual visits may be beneficial for autistic adults by eliminating travel to the clinic and avoiding stressful sensory stimuli. The disadvantages included that: (1) there could be technology problems like grainy video, (2) the doctor could not physically examine the patient (e.g., look in ears), and (3) patients sometimes participated less in the virtual visit than they would in-person. Autistic adults and caregivers said advantages to virtual visits were that: (1) patients were more comfortable at home, (2) patients could get healthcare while avoiding physical contact with other people during the pandemic, and (3) virtual visits were similar to or better than in-person visits. We interviewed 7 autistic adults and 12 caregivers of autistic adults who receive primary care through one clinic. We wanted to describe advantages and disadvantages of using virtual visits for delivering primary healthcare for autistic adults. Virtual visits may minimize barriers to care for autistic adults. Real-time telehealth visits, called “virtual visits,” are live video chats between the patient and provider. While we recognize that virtual visits may not be appropriate for all patients or in all situations, they may be a promising model of healthcare delivery for autistic adults.Īutistic adults face many barriers to receiving quality primary healthcare like clinics that are far away and sensory sensitivities. ![]() Virtual visits may minimize barriers to care for autistic adults by reducing travel time, exposure to sensory stressors, and barriers to communication with the provider. Disadvantages included: (1) internet instability and other technological issues (2) the inability to receive hands-on care from the provider and (3) reduced patient engagement due to environmental distractions. Using thematic analysis, we identified three advantages to virtual visits: (1) increased patient comfort from avoiding travel to the clinic, crowded waiting rooms, and other sensory stressors (2) increased safety by avoiding physical contact with others who may be sick and (3) similar or better patient-provider communication than in-person visits. We interviewed autistic adults (N=7) and caregivers of autistic adults (N=12) from one primary care clinic. We investigated the advantages and disadvantages primary care virtual visits using a phenomenological approach. Synchronous telehealth visits, termed ‘virtual visits,’ may be a way to minimize these barriers. Autistic adults experience barriers to primary care including distant/inaccessible clinics, sensory stressors, and communication barriers with providers. ![]()
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