Purpose: Empirical evidence underscores both benefits of telehealth visits and persistent disparities in use for Black adults. Guided by the Technology Acceptance Model, we evaluated perceptions regarding telehealth visits among Black and Non-Black adults receiving cancer care from two academic health systems.
Methods: Between April 2022 and October 2023, a survey was conducted among adult patients treated for cancer in the past 3 years. Survey recruitment was stratified by visit type (telehealth or in-person) and race. Before a scheduled oncology visit, respondents completed a telephone survey to assess their perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and attitudes toward telehealth visits. Frequency differences were estimated using chi-square tests, and prevalence differences using logistic regression.
Results: The survey was completed by 773 respondents (42% Black) with a 15% response rate. Black respondents were younger and less likely to report male sex, being married, having a college education, comfortable income, or confidence in medical and e-literacy. Compared with Non-Black respondents, Black respondents perceived telehealth visits as less useful for determining health needs (37% v 48%) and asking questions (9% v 15%). They thought that telehealth visits were less easy with regard to understanding their health care provider (14% v 21%) and the ability to connect (23% v 30%). Black respondents expressed more concern about internet access (26% v 15%), access to electronic devices (17% v 9%), and finding assistance for connecting (24% v 12%). They also found telehealth visits to be less private (19% v 34%).
Conclusion: Racial differences in telehealth ease of use and usefulness perceptions highlight the need for oncology practices to couple connectivity support with effective communication strategies to avoid disparities in oncology telehealth services.