Virtual doctor visits have moved from a pandemic-era workaround to a regular part of how Americans get care. Trimi Health surveyed 1,005 U.S. adults about how they use telehealth today. The survey also asked which types of care they trust to virtual providers, and where they still want an in-person visit. The results show a growing comfort with remote care, including for a category that once required an office visit: prescription weight-loss treatment.
Finding 01
86% of respondents trust telehealth providers to treat them remotely
- Completely trust
- 25%
- Somewhat trust
- 61%
- Do not trust at all
- 2%
Selected trust responses reported in the survey summary; these are not all response categories.
86% of respondents say they somewhat or completely trust a healthcare provider to treat them through telehealth. Across respondents, 25% say they completely trust a provider this way, and 61% say they somewhat trust one. Just 2% say they do not trust telehealth at all.
Why respondents turned to virtual appointments
Primary care is the most common reason patients turned to virtual appointments in the last year, cited by 44% of telehealth users. Mental or behavioral health follows at 27%, and prescription medication management at 21%. Follow-up appointments account for 18%, and urgent care makes up 10%.
Telehealth Use Is Expected To Grow
Usage is likely to keep climbing. 37% of Americans expect to use telehealth more often over the next five years, and 49% expect to use it about the same amount. Only 4% expect to use it less.
That expected growth builds on a base that already trusts virtual care. As more patients grow comfortable skipping the waiting room, telehealth is turning into a permanent fixture in how Americans manage their health.
Finding 02
53% say the right care setting depends on the treatment
- Follow-up appointments
- 59%
- Mental / behavioral health
- 58%
- Prescription medication management
- 58%
- Nutrition counseling
- 55%
- Primary care
- 46%
- Supplements
- 35%
- Weight-loss treatment
- 28%
- Routine checkups
- 24%
- Chronic condition management
- 23%
- Men’s health
- 21%
Each value is a reported percentage for that care category, not a share of a single total.
Most respondents are not loyal to one format across the board. 53% say their choice between telehealth and in-person care depends on the type of treatment needed.
Care Types Americans Trust Most to Virtual Providers
Respondents were most confident handing off follow-up care and prescription management to a screen. 59% say follow-up appointments are best suited to telehealth, and mental/behavioral health and prescription medication management tie at 58% each. Nutrition counseling follows at 55%, primary care at 46%, and supplements at 35%. Weight-loss treatment lands at 28%, ahead of routine checkups (24%), chronic condition management (23%), and men's health (21%).
When asked which services they would be comfortable receiving entirely through telehealth, prescription medication management again ranked highest at 63%. Routine follow-ups came in at 58%, nutrition counseling at 57%, and diagnosis of minor illnesses at 52%. Mental healthcare followed at 50%, weight-loss treatment at 46%, and preventive care at 36%.
Where Americans Still Want to See a Provider in Person
Some categories remain firmly in-person. 56% say they would always prefer physical therapy face-to-face, and 53% feel the same about urgent care. Primary care and dermatology tie at 49% each, and 34% still want routine checkups done in person.
When asked which they would choose if telehealth and in-person care offered the same quality, 44% picked a combination of both. 41% chose telehealth outright, and only 15% chose in-person care alone.
Finding 03
58% say convenience is telehealth’s biggest advantage
- No travel required
- 62%
- Lower cost
- 55%
- Same-day appointments
- 55%
- Shorter wait times
- 53%
- More convenient appointment times
- 44%
Reported reasons for choosing telehealth over an in-person visit.
Convenience drives telehealth adoption more than any other factor. 58% say it is the single biggest advantage, and 1 in 5 (20%) point to the lack of travel instead.
Several factors would make Americans more likely to choose telehealth over an in-person visit. 62% say they would be more likely to choose it if no travel were required, and 55% cite lower cost as a motivator. Same-day appointments would sway 55% of respondents, shorter wait times would influence 53%, and more convenient appointment times would persuade 44%.
Americans Are Saving By Choosing Telehealth
Convenience is not the only payoff. Many respondents also report saving money by choosing virtual healthcare.
47% have saved money by choosing telehealth over an in-person visit, with an average savings of $212. Of those who saved, 1 in 6 (16%) saved $300 or more.
$212
Average savings reported by respondents who saved money through telehealth. This is not an estimate of savings with Trimi.
Finding 04
85% would choose virtual weight-loss care if it cost less
- Very comfortable
- 39%
- Somewhat comfortable
- 45%
- Not comfortable at all
- 16%
Comfort is a reported attitude, not a measure of treatment safety or effectiveness.
Affordability is a major driver of interest in virtual weight-loss care. 85% say they would choose telehealth for prescription weight-loss treatment if it were more affordable than seeing a provider in person. This is a conditional preference, not evidence that virtual care is always less expensive.
Comfort with virtual GLP-1 care is already high. 84% would be comfortable receiving a GLP-1 prescription through a telehealth provider rather than an in-person doctor. That includes 39% who say they would be very comfortable and 45% who say somewhat comfortable. Only 16% say they would not be comfortable at all.
A handful of factors would make virtual weight-loss treatment more appealing. Greater convenience tops the list at 60%, followed by lower cost at 56%. Faster access to treatment would sway 46%, and being able to speak with a provider from home would sway 39%. More flexible appointment times round out the list at 37%. These preferences do not establish which medication or care setting is appropriate for an individual.
Finding 05
Telehealth’s next chapter includes weight-loss care
Respondents report trust in telehealth for everyday care and openness to using it for prescription weight-loss treatment. Our previous weight-loss budget study explores the financial decisions around treatment. If you are exploring care, review the available treatment information and speak with a licensed healthcare provider about whether an online assessment is appropriate for you.
Related research
How Americans budget for weight loss
Methodology & study limitations
In September of 2026, we surveyed 1,005 Americans on their use of and attitudes toward telehealth. Among respondents, 50% identified as men, 49% as women, and 1% as non-binary. The age of respondents ranged from 18 to 95, with an average age of 41.
These results reflect self-reported attitudes and experiences. They do not establish clinical effectiveness, diagnostic accuracy or suitability for a particular treatment. Recruitment details, weighting, question wording and margins of error are not available in this published summary. Percentages for separate questions should not be combined.
Fair use
When using this data and research, please attribute by linking to this study and citing Trimi Health.
For media inquiries, please contact media@digitalthirdcoast.net.
Download the 21 charted findings (CSV)Questions about the findings
What did the survey find about telehealth for weight-loss treatment?
84% of respondents said they would be comfortable receiving a GLP-1 prescription through telehealth. This measures comfort with a care setting, not whether a medication is clinically appropriate. A licensed healthcare provider must assess individual needs.
Does trust in telehealth mean it provides the same care as an in-person visit?
No. The survey found that 86% somewhat or completely trust telehealth providers, but it did not compare diagnostic accuracy or treatment outcomes. Some concerns require an examination or other in-person care.
Can I explore GLP-1 treatment through Trimi?
Trimi offers online assessments for compounded semaglutide and compounded tirzepatide. A provider licensed in the patient’s state decides whether to prescribe. Compounded medications are not FDA-approved; the FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing.
How much did respondents report saving through telehealth?
47% reported saving money compared with an in-person visit. Among those who saved, the reported average was $212, and 16% saved $300 or more. These are self-reported savings across telehealth, not expected savings on Trimi treatment.
Which types of care did respondents consider well suited to telehealth?
Follow-up appointments led at 59%. Mental or behavioral health and prescription medication management each received 58%, followed by nutrition counseling at 55%. These are respondent preferences, not clinical recommendations.
Where can I check Trimi’s current pricing and billing terms?
The Trimi pricing guide lists each plan’s full charge, payment period and commitment. Annual-plan monthly equivalents are not monthly installments. Review the current treatment and refund terms before choosing a plan.
Considering your care options?
Start with the details that matter.
Review treatment information, full plan charges and commitments before deciding whether to start an online assessment. Prescribing is based on an individual licensed-provider evaluation.
Compounded medications are not FDA-approved. FDA does not review them for safety, effectiveness or quality before marketing. This survey is informational and is not medical advice. Important Safety Information.