Telehealth Usage and Attitudes in Sweden and Denmark

Telehealth adoption has seen significant variation across countries. In Sweden, 25 percent of respondents report having used telehealth services, while in Denmark, the figure stands at 21 percent. Globally, 27 percent of people say they have seen a healthcare provider using telehealth, with 73 percent indicating they have not.

In the fall of 2021, 73 percent of people in Sweden and 79 percent in Denmark reported never having had a visit with a healthcare provider. When asked about visits with a doctor or other healthcare provider in the past six months, 45 percent of respondents in Denmark and 30 percent in Sweden said yes, compared to a global average of 30 percent.

Mode of Healthcare Visits

• In Sweden, approximately 30 percent of respondents saw their provider in person, 10 percent via phone, 5 percent via video, 2 percent via chat, and 53 percent had no visit.
• In Denmark, 45 percent saw their provider in person, 10 percent via phone, 5 percent via video, 2 percent via chat, and 38 percent had no visit.
• Globally, 40 percent saw their provider in person, 15 percent via phone, 10 percent via video, 5 percent via chat, and 30 percent had no visit.

Delays in Care: Reasons and Concerns

Concerns over exposure to COVID-19 and the inability to get an appointment were the top reasons people delayed care in 2021. Other significant factors included lack of time (21 percent), cost (20 percent), and lack of information about available services (19 percent).

The main factors impacting decisions to delay healthcare treatment and visits were:

• COVID-19 exposure concerns: 30 percent in Sweden, 35 percent in Denmark, 40 percent globally
• Couldn’t get an appointment: 25 percent in Sweden, 30 percent in Denmark, 35 percent globally
• Lack of time: 20 percent in Sweden and Denmark, 21 percent globally
• Lack of cost or reimbursement information: 10 percent in Sweden and Denmark, 20 percent globally
• Lack of information about available services: 10 percent in Sweden and Denmark, 19 percent globally
• Lack of trust and confidence: 5 percent in Sweden and Denmark, 10 percent globally
• Lack of information about telehealth: 5 percent in Sweden and Denmark, 10 percent globally
• Couldn’t afford to pay: 5 percent in Sweden and Denmark, 10 percent globally
• Couldn’t get transportation: 2 percent in Sweden and Denmark, 5 percent globally

Future Use of Telehealth

A majority of people who have used telehealth services during the pandemic in both Denmark and Sweden indicate they will continue to use telehealth services in the future (54 percent in both countries).

When asked if they expect to use telehealth services more or less after the COVID-19 pandemic has subsided:

• In Denmark: 15 percent said more, 54 percent about the same, and 31 percent less
• In Sweden: 15 percent said more, 54 percent about the same, and 31 percent less
• Globally: 23 percent said more, 49 percent about the same, and 28 percent less

Gender Differences in Future Telehealth Use

Men in Denmark are slightly more likely to say they will use telehealth more in the future:

• Male: 21 percent more, 57 percent about the same, 21 percent less
• Female: 13 percent more, 51 percent about the same, 36 percent less

Similarly, in Sweden, men are more open to using telehealth services in the future:

• Male: 21 percent more, 57 percent about the same, 21 percent less
• Female: 10 percent more, 51 percent about the same, 39 percent less

Age Differences in Future Telehealth Use

In Denmark, the intention to use telehealth services in the future is consistent across age groups, with each group reporting 15 percent more, 54 percent about the same, and 31 percent less.

In Sweden, younger generations are more likely to say they will use telehealth services after the pandemic:

• 18-24: 23 percent more, 54 percent about the same, 23 percent less
• 25-34: 21 percent more, 51 percent about the same, 28 percent less
• 35-44: 18 percent more, 51 percent about the same, 31 percent less
• 45-54: 15 percent more, 54 percent about the same, 31 percent less
• 55-64: 10 percent more, 54 percent about the same, 36 percent less
• 65+: 8 percent more, 54 percent about the same, 38 percent less

Improving the Telehealth Experience

To enhance the telehealth experience, patients in Denmark and Sweden express a desire for providers to offer a broader range of services. The most requested services include follow-up appointments, prescription refills, and access to specialists.

The breakdown of desired services is as follows:

• Follow-up appointments: 35 percent in Sweden, 38 percent in Denmark, 40 percent globally
• Prescription refills: 30 percent in Sweden, 32 percent in Denmark, 35 percent globally
• Access to specialists: 28 percent in Sweden, 30 percent in Denmark, 33 percent globally
• Access to mental health services: 25 percent in Sweden, 27 percent in Denmark, 30 percent globally
• Access to chronic disease management: 22 percent in Sweden, 25 percent in Denmark, 28 percent globally
• Access to preventive care: 20 percent in Sweden, 22 percent in Denmark, 25 percent globally
• Access to lab results: 18 percent in Sweden, 20 percent in Denmark, 23 percent globally
• Access to imaging results: 15 percent in Sweden, 18 percent in Denmark, 20 percent globally
• Access to medical records: 13 percent in Sweden, 15 percent in Denmark, 18 percent globally
• Access to second opinions: 10 percent in Sweden, 12 percent in Denmark, 15 percent globally
• Access to remote monitoring: 8 percent in Sweden, 10 percent in Denmark, 12 percent globally
• Access to home care: 7 percent in Sweden, 8 percent in Denmark, 10 percent globally
• Access to patient education: 5 percent in Sweden, 6 percent in Denmark, 8 percent globally
• Access to support groups: 3 percent in Sweden, 4 percent in Denmark, 5 percent globally

Key Insights

• In the fall of 2021, 73 percent of people in Sweden and 79 percent in Denmark had never had a visit with a healthcare provider.
• Concerns over exposure to COVID-19 and inability to get an appointment were the top reasons for delayed care in 2021.
• The majority of telehealth users in Denmark and Sweden plan to continue using telehealth services post-pandemic (54 percent in both countries).
• Men in both Denmark and Sweden are more likely than women to say they will use telehealth more in the future.
• In Sweden, younger generations are more likely to say they will use telehealth services after the pandemic.
• Patients in Denmark and Sweden want providers to expand telehealth offerings, particularly in follow-up appointments, prescription refills, and specialist access.

theglobalillindex.com

Relevant Links

• Telehealth Adoption, Usage, and Future Trends in Sweden and Denmark
• The Swedish In-Store Shopping Phenomenon: How Digital Savvy and Physical Rituals Drive Omnichannel Excellence
• A Comparative Analysis: Digital-Only Banking Adoption in the Nordics vs. the Rest of Europe
• L’avantage nordique : Comment les expériences numériques sans couture redéfinissent la banque, le commerce et la santé en Europe (Europe)
• El Modelo Nórdico de Experiencia Digital: Lecciones para la Banca, el Retail y la Salud en América Latina (LATAM)
• La Experiencia Digital Nórdica: Lecciones para la Banca, el Comercio Electrónico y la Telemedicina en América Latina (LATAM)
• El Modelo Nórdico de Experiencia Digital: Lecciones para la Transformación en América Latina (LATAM)
• A Comparative Analysis: Telehealth Adoption and Digital Transformation in the Nordics vs. the Rest of Europe
• Bridging the Digital Experience Gap: What Telehealth Can Learn from Banking and Retail in Sweden and Denmark
• L’avantage nordique : Comment les expériences numériques sans couture redéfinissent la banque, le commerce et la santé en Europe (Europe)