With the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth services emerged as an effective care-delivery tool to increase equitable access to care. The Chicago Department of Public Health’s (CDPH) sexually transmitted infections (STI) specialty clinics provide comprehensive, no-cost care for STIs and HIV. Telehealth services may facilitate expanded services, but the acceptability to patients is unknown.
Methods
We analyzed data collected from participants seeking care at one of 2 CDPH STI specialty clinics from July 6 to September 12, 2023. Modified Poisson regression was used to assess factors associated with (1) using any telehealth services in the past 12 months, and (2) likelihood of not using future telehealth services at STI specialty clinics.
Results
Of 251 respondents, most were 18–29 years old (56%), 36% non-Hispanic (NH) White, 28% NH Black, and 71% male. Nearly half (46%) had used past telehealth services and 33% reported being unlikely to use telehealth services at specialty clinics. In adjusted analyses, compared with NH White, NH Black participants were more likely to report no intention to use future telehealth services (adjusted prevalence ratio, 1.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–2.35). Among those who did not previously use telehealth services, choosing CDPH STI specialty clinics for privacy concerns/confidentiality was significantly associated with a lower likelihood of using future telehealth services.
Conclusions
A reported moderate-high acceptance of telehealth services at CDPH STI specialty clinics may suggest telehealth implementation could have successful uptake. Next steps toward implementing a telehealth program will need to consider which services to include, provider training and needs, and system factors, such as integration with electronic medical records and establishment of a patient portal.