Question Is there a difference in the rate of completion for diagnostic tests and referrals ordered during a telehealth visit compared with those ordered during an in-person visit?

Findings In this cohort study of 4133 diagnostic tests and referrals (colonoscopies, cardiac stress tests, and dermatology referrals) ordered between March 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021, at 2 affiliated clinical primary care sites, 58% of those ordered during in-person visits were completed within the designated time frame compared with 43% of those ordered during telehealth visits. The rate of completion was between 40% and 65% for all test types, regardless of visit modality.

Meaning The findings of this study suggest that rates of completion for diagnostic tests and referrals were low for all visit types but worse when ordered during telehealth visits.