[2026-09-01] Characteristics and Outcomes of a Telehealth Home Visit Program: A Descriptive Study

Abstract

Background: Following the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth home visit services were increasingly adopted, but evidence on their characteristics and outcomes remains limited.

Objectives: To describe the characteristics and outcomes of patients receiving telehealth home visit services at the Department of Family Medicine, Ramathibodi Hospital.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included 135 patients receiving telehealth home visits from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022, using data obtained from electronic medical records (EMR). Demographics, comorbidities, and service characteristics were collected. Outcomes included first emergency department (ED) visit and all-cause mortality within one year after the index telehealth home visit. Descriptive statistics and Cox proportional hazards regression analyses were performed.

Results: A total of 135 patients were included, with the majority being female (68.89%) and aged ≥ 81 years (45.93%). Within one year, 20 patients (14.81%) visited the ED, and 17 (12.59%) died. In the multivariable analysis, male sex (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 3.56; 95% CI, 1.42-8.89), age ≤ 60 years (adjusted HR, 5.90; 95% CI, 1.65-21.12), and absence of caregiver engagement during telehealth home visits (adjusted HR, 3.68; 95% CI, 1.31-10.34) were independently associated with a higher ED visit risk.

Conclusions: Male sex, age ≤ 60 years, and the absence of caregiver participation were associated with higher ED utilization. These findings may inform patient selection, caregiver engagement, and the role of telehealth in hybrid care models for patients with ongoing care needs.