In the latest research update from the Commonwealth Fund, Harvard University, and Phreesia, analysts investigated how office visits have adapted to a “new normal” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Findings revealed a “‘cumulative deficit’ in visits over the last three months (March 15-June 20) is nearly 40 percent,” with the greatest decline being in states that “had an early surge in COVID-19 cases.”

Telemedicine, which was utilized as in-person visits dropped, has begun to decline after peaking in mid-April. The use of telemedicine “remains substanially higher than prior to the pandemic” however.

Furthermore, researchers found that in the week starting June 14th, “visits to some clinical specialties, such as dermatology and rheumatology, have returned to their baseline rates. The cumulative decline in visits from the start of the pandemic is greatest among pediatricians, pulmonologists, and several surgical specialties.”

Data was collected from Phreesia’s clients, which include more than 1,600 provider organizations representing more than 50,000 providers. Visits were captured from February 1 through June 20, 2020.

Click here to read the latest round of findings.