Issue Questions
Q1. In the past several years, have you personally had difficulty scheduling an appointment or seeing a mental health professional?
Yes, I have had difficulty
16%
No, I have not had difficulty
30%
I have not tried to see anyone
51%
Don’t know
3%
Q2. [If yes] Which of the following health care professionals have you had trouble seeing for mental health care? Please select all that apply.
Psychiatrist
45%
Primary Care
46%
Psychologist
29%
Therapist
38%
Social Worker
17%
Workplace Counselor
9%
Other
3%
Don’t know
5%
Q3. Which of the following best describes your experience with telehealth or telemedicine—that is, when patients see doctors or other medical or mental health professionals remotely, on the phone, or through online apps such as Zoom, FaceTime, Skype, or Teams?
Note: Question wording in 2020 was “Which of the following best describes your experience with telehealth?”
| 2021 | 2020 | |
|---|---|---|
| I have never heard of telehealth before | 17% | 27% |
| I have heard of telehealth, but I have not personally used it | 45% | 42% |
| I have used telehealth services to meet with a doctor or other medical or mental health professional | 38% | 31% |
If answered “I have used telehealth services to meet with a doctor or other medical personnel” ask questions 4-11:
Q4. How have you used telehealth when communicating with a doctor, medical office, or mental health professional? Please select all that apply.
Online in a video session (using an app such as Zoom, Skype, FaceTime, or Teams)
69%
Online using audio-only
13%
Through a regular telephone call
38%
Don’t know
4%
Q5. When was the FIRST time you used telehealth services?
Since the start of the pandemic
82%
Before the pandemic
14%
Don’t know
4%
Q6-10: Do you agree or disagree with the following statements?
Ranked by highest percentage.
| Total agree 2021 | Total agree 2020 | Strongly agree | Somewhat agree | Neither agree nor disagree | Somewhat disagree | Strongly disagree | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| I would use telehealth for a physical health concern or illness | 62% | 59% | 28% | 33% | 21% | 10% | 8% |
| I would use telehealth or telepsychiatry for a mental health concern or illness | 59% | 49% | 26% | 33% | 22% | 11% | 9% |
| The quality of care received in a telehealth session can be the same as that of an in-person office visit | 45% | 40% | 19% | 26% | 28% | 18% | 9% |
| I prefer telehealth compared to in-person, doctor’s office visits | 34% | 31% | 15% | 19% | 28% | 19% | 19% |
| I want to use telehealth after the coronavirus pandemic is over | 43% | - | 19% | 24% | 27% | 14% | 15% |
Q11. Would you consider using a support line or an online chat (a confidential, free service offering conversation, emotional support, and information before a crisis develops) during a time of personal difficulty and mental anxiety?
Yes, I would consider
57%
Yes, I have already used it
7%
No
21%
Don’t know
14%
Note: These findings come from an APA-sponsored online survey conducted March 26 - April 5, 2021, among a sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. The equivalent margin of error is +/-3.1 percentage points. Contact [email protected] for a copy of the crosstabs for the poll.