Evolution of Patient Perceptions and Experiences with Telehealth: Insights from Reddit Communities

Telehealth has evolved over multiple decades in the US, with the COVID-19 pandemic acting as a catalyst for the removal of regulatory and reimbursement barriers, thereby accelerating its adoption. Despite this rapid growth, there remains a significant gap in understanding patients' perceptions of telehealth, which is crucial for optimizing healthcare delivery and ensuring patient satisfaction. In this research, we investigate the evolution of patient perceptions toward telehealth over time and identify the factors influencing these changes through text mining. Additionally, we focus on patients with mental disorders, specifically those with anxiety, to understand how telehealth affects their healthcare experiences. Data is collected from Reddit, a highly popular social media platform where user posts are organized by subject into user-created boards called "subreddits." We examine three subreddits: r/telemedicine, r/telehealth, and r/anxiety. This research provides valuable insights into the dynamic nature of patients' perceptions of telehealth. Understanding how these perceptions change over time can inform strategies to enhance telehealth adoption, address barriers, and tailor services to meet evolving patient needs. By examining telehealth utilization, satisfaction, and preferences, healthcare providers and policymakers can better design interventions to sustain positive patient experiences and increase the acceptance of telehealth services.