How did rural telemedicine change in COVID?

Rural Ontario telemedicine use jumped from about 1.4% of patients in 2012 to 28% in early 2020 as temporary billing codes expanded virtual care.

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What happened to rural telemedicine prevalence from 2012 to 2020?

Patients with ≥1 visit rose from 1.4% to 28.1%.

What organization originally promoted rural video visits in Ontario?

The Ontario Telemedicine Network (OTN).

What billing change accelerated pandemic telemedicine?

Temporary fee codes reimbursing broader virtual visits beyond OTN videoconferencing.

Which age pattern emerged during the pandemic in rural areas?

Usage rates increased with age; older adults highest, children/adolescents lowest.

How did sex distribution of users change by 2020?

More female than male telemedicine users (about 55% vs 45%).

Where were most pre-pandemic rural users located?

Northern Ontario accounted for the majority of users in 2012.

Did urban areas also expand telemedicine in COVID?

Yes—rapid increases occurred in both rural and urban Ontario.

Which group used telemedicine least among ages discussed?

Children and adolescents.

What barrier limited pre-COVID telemedicine adoption?

Strict requirements and limited billing outside the government videoconferencing platform.

What patient denominator is used for rural rates?

Rural patients who received at least one telemedicine visit among rural residents in each period.

What happened to telemedicine rates as lockdown eased in spring 2020?

Authors note a plateau or slight reduction coinciding with more in-person visits.