Attitudes Toward Video Consultations From the Perspective of Physicians and Psychotherapists in German Outpatient Care After the COVID-19 Pandemic - Survey Study

Q: What is the study assessing about video consultations in Germany?

The study evaluates physicians’ and psychotherapists’ attitudes toward using video consultations after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding suitable treatment types and medical fields.

Q: How was the survey conducted?

A standardized questionnaire was sent to 34,095 physicians and psychotherapists across four German regions, and analyses used descriptive and inferential statistics including logistic regression.

Q: What key findings emerged about monthly VC provision and interest?

About 40% of surveyed physicians and psychotherapists reported offering VC at least once a month, and around 80% expressed interest in VC use. Adoption differed by medical area, with higher odds in psychotherapeutic care than primary care.

Sep 29, 2026

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Video consultations (VCs) are permitted in German outpatient care and increased during the COVID-19 pandemic, yet routine adoption remains limited. This survey study evaluates physicians’ and psychotherapists’ attitudes toward VC use after the pandemic, focusing on treatment types and medical fields. A standardized questionnaire was sent to 34,095 providers across four German regions, using descriptive and inferential statistics and logistic regression to assess factors linked to monthly VC provision or interest.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time38 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Objective

Methods

Results

Conclusions

Introduction

Telemedicine and VC implementation in Germany

JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH Kleinschmidt et al Original Paper Attitudes Toward Video Consultations From the Perspective of Physicians and Psychotherapists in German Outpatient Care After the COVID-19 Pandemic: Survey Study | Lara Kleinschmidt 1 , MSc; Juergen Wasem 1 , Prof Dr; Nikola Blase 1 , Dr med; Beatrice Nauendorf2 , MSc; Juliane Malsch2 , MSc; Matthias Brittner3 , MA; Paul Brandenburg4 , MA; André Aeustergerling5 , MA; Theresa Hüer1 , Dr rer pol | | --- | | 1Institute for Health Care Management and Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany 2Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Berlin, Berlin, Germany
3Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Westfalen-Lippe, Dortmund, Germany 4Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Schleswig-Holstein, Bad Segeberg, Germany 5Kassenärztliche Vereinigung Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Schwerin, Germany
Corresponding Author:
Lara Kleinschmidt, MSc
Institute for Health Care Management and Research University of Duisburg-Essen
Thea-Leymann-Straße 9 Essen 45127
Germany
Phone: 49 2011833774
Email: [lara.kleinschmidt@medman.uni-due.de](lara.kleinschmidt@medman.uni-due.de)
Abstract | Background: Although video consultations (VCs) are permitted in German outpatient care and have seen a notable rise during the COVID-19 pandemic, their use still does not seem to have become established in Germany. Objective: This survey aims to evaluate the attitudes of physicians and psychotherapists with regard to the use of VC after the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular in the context of types of treatment and suitable medical fields. Methods: A standardized questionnaire was sent out to all 34,095 physicians and psychotherapists in 4 German regions. The analysis consisted of both descriptive and inferential statistics. Subgroup analysis included gender, age groups, community size of practice location, VC experience, type and ownership of practice, and area of medical care . Binary logistic regression was conducted to determine whether physicians’ and psychotherapists’ individual factors, organizational factors, or area of medical care were associated with at least monthly VC provision or interest in VC provision. Results: The response rate was 17.9%, including a total of 5930 participants in the analysis. About 40%(2216/5863) of the physicians and psychotherapists surveyed stated that they offer VC at least once a month. In the area of medical care, the odds ratio (OR) of at least monthly VC provision in psychotherapeutic care was about 8.2 (95% CI 7.4‐1.64; P<.001) compared to primary care, whereas in specialist care, the odds for monthly VC provision were approximately 50% lower than in primary care (OR 0.5, 95% CI 0.43-0.59; P<.001) . Further, female participants have higher odds to provide VC at least once a month (OR 1.163, 95% CI 1.01‐1.34; P= .03) . The odds for monthly VC provision in older age groups are approximately 60% higher than in the <40 years old age group (OR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.52; P<.001) . Around 80%(4347/5442) of the participants expressed interest in VC use . The most common occasions for which treatment by VC was reported to be suitable were discussing test results (1422/1896, 75.0%), taking the patient’s medical history (1195/2147, 55.7%), issuing prescriptions for drugs and remedies (793/1204, 65.9%), and the issuing of incapacity certificates for work (677/1042, 65.0%) . Conclusions: There has been an increase in the self-reported uptake of VC among physicians and psychotherapists compared to prepandemic levels, although this remains at a relatively low level in primary and specialist care . A significant proportion of doctors and psychotherapists have expressed an interest in using VC after the pandemic period. However, this self-reported use is not yet reflected in actual usage data, suggesting the need for further investigation into the underlying factors influencing the gap and identifying potential enablers. Further, these self-assessments by service provi

FAQs

What is the study assessing about video consultations in Germany?

The study evaluates physicians’ and psychotherapists’ attitudes toward using video consultations after the COVID-19 pandemic, especially regarding suitable treatment types and medical fields.

How was the survey conducted?

A standardized questionnaire was sent to 34,095 physicians and psychotherapists across four German regions, and analyses used descriptive and inferential statistics including logistic regression.

What key findings emerged about monthly VC provision and interest?

About 40% of surveyed physicians and psychotherapists reported offering VC at least once a month, and around 80% expressed interest in VC use. Adoption differed by medical area, with higher odds in psychotherapeutic care than primary care.

Sep 29, 2026

Upload by LangkahRina