Video or In-Person Visits: Which Should You Choose?

A video appointment can be used to establish care when a trip to the office would involve driving long distances, working hours, or a lack of available transportation. An office appointment may suit you better if you need a physical examination, lack privacy at home, or find video technology difficult.

Patient surveys can help explain the options, but they shouldn't dictate them. The most important question to ask yourself is whether the appointment method will meet your healthcare needs and provide a practical way to get care.

Do patients want video or in-person appointments?

Many patients want options to decide. According to a national survey conducted by RAND Corporation in March 2021, of 2,080 U.S. adults ages 20 and older, 66.5% wanted to have at least some video visits as part of their future healthcare, but 53.0% preferred an office visit for a nonurgent reason that could be handled either way, compared with 20.9% who preferred a video visit.

Those numbers are consistent with each other. Many of the people who want to have video visits available in the future will still probably choose an office appointment when one is needed.

The survey only reflects the preferences of the people who participated in it in 2021, and should not be used as an indicator of the opinions of all Americans today.

Is interest in virtual care growing or declining?

It depends on the type of care and the measurement.

Rock Health’s 2022 consumer survey and 2023 consumer survey asked respondents about which virtual care modalities they would prefer for different reasons for seeking care. This is a summary of the responses:

These figures include phone, video, and messaging as virtual care modalities, not just video. The percentages reflect what people preferred, rather than an absolute value.

Preferences were growing for some care types and falling for others. So, while “patients are increasingly preferring telehealth” may be a useful message for some, it obscures important nuances.

The actual utilization of telehealth services tells a different story. Taken from the CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, this data shows a decrease in the percentage of adults who had used telemedicine from 37.0% in 2021 to 30.1% in 2022. The question asked if the respondent had used a phone or video conferencing tool to talk to a doctor or nurse in the last 12 months. It does not ask what modality they prefer.

An analysis of roughly 411 million primary-care visits by Epic Research found that telehealth’s share declined until mid-2023, then remained around 6% to 7% through October 2025.

The two figures cannot be combined because they use different denominators. Nor is there a reliable series of measurements that can produce a coherent five-year preference trend from the data reviewed here.

Does your age affect whether you prefer video visits?

Age can be a factor in a preference, according to some surveys, but it is not an individual's determining factor.

In the 2021 RAND survey's age comparison, the participants answered with these results:

The rest stated no preference or were unsure.

A more recent analysis of the 2024 Health Information National Trends Survey results found that compared with 18- to 34-year-olds, adults ages 35 to 49 were more likely to report a strong willingness to use telehealth. However, that study asked about willingness to use phone or video care, not a preference for it over in-person care.

These two studies were asking different questions, so they are not directly comparable. But the findings do not support a rule that the youngest group always prefers video.

Practical considerations for older patients may include whether the platform includes captions, large text, and caregiver assistance. HHS has considerations for telehealth for older adults.

Can video visits accommodate work and caregiving needs?

They may decrease the distance of an appointment, but whether that is beneficial depends on schedules and the opportunity to have a private conversation.

An analysis published in 2026 using the 2024 national survey found the following:

The employment group comparison was not statistically significant. These findings do not establish that employed adults prefer video over office visits.

Furthermore, people outside the “very willing” group did not necessarily reject telehealth; some were somewhat willing.

If you work or have caregiving duties, consider whether the available appointment time slots would accommodate your needs. A video visit still requires your time and attention. It may not be possible to have an honest conversation if the visit overlaps with supervising children or occurs in a shared workspace.

Can children and teenagers access care via video?

The preferences of parents and teenagers are both relevant.

A national Mott Poll from 2021 found that 49% of parents preferred video or had no preference for their child’s mental-health appointment, compared to 51% who preferred an office visit. The 49% statistic reflects two categories of preference, so it does not indicate that 49% specifically preferred video.

A study using nationally representative data from 2022 found that 45.3% of adolescents ages 12–17 who received mental-health treatment used some phone/video care. It looked at utilization, not preference, among those who used any treatment.

A confidential adolescent telemedicine study found that 60% of 88 participants were likely or very likely to use the service again. The study was conducted at one clinic, and the visits occurred in 2020; the findings cannot be generalized to nationwide teen preferences. Most participants were gender-diverse adolescents; 28 of the 88 were cisgender girls, so it cannot speak to the preferences of all adolescents.

Before scheduling their appointment, parents should inquire about the following:

• Does the clinician have experience treating children of this age?
• Is video appropriate for the type of assessment or treatment?
• How will the parent/caregiver have a meaningful role?
• Will the adolescent have an opportunity to speak privately, when appropriate?
• What happens if privacy or technology becomes an issue?

A teen who feels comfortable on video might not feel safe speaking honestly if others can hear the conversation.

Can you see a psychiatrist or therapist via video?

It is common for mental-health professionals to use video, but that does not indicate that it is the preferred option or that it produces similar results to an office visit.

AMA’s analysis of 2024 physician data found that 85.9% of psychiatrists had at least one video visit during the previous week. It reflects physician use, not patient preference, and does not discuss treatment outcomes.

For psychotherapy, a 2026 systematic review which assessed video treatment compared to face-to-face treatment for adult patients found that there was no statistically significant difference in average symptom severity, but the authors found the evidence to be of low certainty. Much of the evidence came from cognitive behavioral therapy and treatment for PTSD.

These findings support video psychotherapy as an option to discuss with your clinician. They do not establish equal results for every condition, every patient, or every treatment, including children or psychiatric medication management.

If you are arranging an initial assessment, knowing what to expect from a psychiatric evaluation could help you prepare and ask questions about completing it via video.

You can also use the Savant Care provider directory to search for providers, then ask questions about age eligibility, modalities, and availability before booking.

Will you feel comfortable talking to them on video?

Some people feel more comfortable talking from a familiar setting, while others prefer being in the same room as their clinician. Both the patient and the clinician should feel comfortable with the chosen arrangement.

A Health Affairs study which used 2021 survey responses found that 20% of patients felt that their rapport was worse on video compared to 45% of primary-care physicians. The experience of the visit was not the same for the patient and the physician.

The study also found that physicians’ concerns varied depending on the purpose of the appointment. This reflects perceived differences, not treatment outcome measurements.

After an appointment, you can reflect on whether you could hear clearly, explain your concerns, ask questions, and speak honestly, and whether something in the arrangement prevented you from doing so. If something was difficult, it might help to ask about adjustments or an alternative modality.

If you consistently feel unheard, it may also be helpful to revisit your psychiatrist choice, alongside the mode of communication.

What if you cannot find anyone nearby?

Video might be a good option for someone who has to travel long distances to meet a mental-health provider, or who does not have access to transport.

In the Health Affairs patient survey, 39% of respondents said they would have delayed care without video, and 11% said they would not have received care. The percentages reflect hypothetical situations if video had not been available during the pandemic. It does not indicate that these patients would have necessarily delayed care, or that it was the only reason they received care.

Finding care in California

There are disparities in who can access telehealth. An analysis of the 2022 California Health Interview Survey found that 48.4% of insured adults used telehealth compared to 21.0% of uninsured adults.

A separate study of adults with limited English proficiency in California which used 2021 data found that they used phone/video services less than English-proficient adults. These figures reflect utilization, not preference, and you should ask about costs, interpreters, and assistance before booking.

Finding care in Texas

Internet access affects who can use video. An estimate from the Texas Comptroller from March 2023 found that 2.8 million Texas households did not have access to high-speed internet.

This is a snapshot from 2023, and there are resources for students at some public schools through Texas Child Health Access Through Telemedicine. Families can ask their school counselor whether their campus participates and how the referral process works. It is not an emergency service.

For practice-based care, you can refer to Savant Care’s locations, confirm that the selected clinician can legally see you in the state where you will be attending the appointment, and ask about other options.

What if you do not have a device, email, or internet?

You can ask to reschedule or clarify information about the appointment, rather than canceling it.

HHS’s guidance for patients about telehealth includes a list of equipment needed for a video appointment and how practices can assist you. The following barriers might apply to your situation, and the practice can help you find solutions:

HHS’s guidance covers preparing patients for telehealth and resources available in rural areas.

A phone appointment may also be an option for some situations. Ask whether it is suitable for your needs, whether the practice offers it, and whether it is covered by your plan.

Will video visits save you money?

It depends on your out-of-pocket costs for either option. The RAND survey asked people to imagine paying an additional fee for a video appointment. Among people who initially preferred video, 61.7% switched to an in-person appointment when told that the hypothetical video visit would cost $30, compared with $10 for the office visit.

The percentage refers to the subgroup who chose video as their preferred option, and it does not mean that 61.7% of all patients would have switched.

Before booking, ask about your copay, deductible, self-pay price, and whether the clinician is in-network. You can also review Savant Care’s insurance information, but you should verify your plan’s benefits and coverage.

If out-of-pocket costs prevent you from arranging care in either modality, the guide to getting mental-health help when money is tight can help you identify other options. You should always contact each provider to clarify your eligibility, costs, and hours.

What questions should you ask?

You should not feel pressured to choose one option based on a national statistic. Instead, ask these questions about your specific appointment:

• Can this clinician provide the care you need via video?
• Are they accustomed to working with people your age?
• Will you have access to a private, suitable space?
• What happens if the connection drops?
• How much would either appointment format cost you?
• Can the clinician see you in the state where you will be attending the appointment?

HHS discusses interstate practice and the importance of informing providers if you plan to visit them while traveling.

You can prepare a list of questions to ask at your first psychiatry appointment, and your questions about receiving care via video are just as important as any other medical concern. You should also ask about changes if your personal circumstances change.

Regardless of the format, your care should be appropriate for your needs and you should be able to communicate comfortably.