Over 80% Feel the "Merits" of Online Medical Consultations; High Demand for After-Hours Care Among Those Over 60
Leverages Co., Ltd., operator of the online medical platform "Levcli," conducted a survey on 618 adults regarding their use of telemedicine. About 40% of experienced users utilize the service regularly, and over 80% recognize its benefits, such as saving travel time and improving "time performance." While 50% of non-users wish to try it, lack of awareness and unsupported regular clinics remain challenges. Users in their 20s and 30s seek efficiency, whereas those 60 and older prioritize after-hours and holiday consultations.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 19, 2026 at 20:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 19, 2026 at 11:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 19, 2026 at 15:46 (4h 14m after Collected)
Leverages Co., Ltd., which operates the online medical consultation platform "Levcli" (https://levcli.jp/), conducted a survey on the actual usage of online medical consultations among 618 men and women aged 20 and over (309 with experience using online medical consultations, and 309 without).
- Approximately 40% of those with experience using online medical consultations use them regularly.
- Over 80% reported feeling the "merits" of online medical consultations, with some noting improved time performance (time efficiency).
- About 50% of those who have never used online medical consultations answered that they want to use them in the future, revealing an issue of lack of awareness.
- Regarding the roles expected of online medical consultations, people in their 20s and 30s prioritize efficiency, while those in their 60s and above rank "utilization for consultations at night and on holidays" highly.
1. Approximately 40% of experienced users use online medical consultations regularly.
Regarding when they first used online medical consultations, "around 2020-2021" was the most common answer at 24.3%, followed by "around 2022-2023" at 22.0%.
This spread is likely due to the lifting of the ban on online medical consultations from the first visit due to special COVID-19 measures in April 2020, and the permanent establishment of first-visit online medical consultations under certain conditions following the revision of medical fees in 2022.
Looking at the medical departments and concerns for which the service was used, "internal medicine for colds, fever, etc." was the most common at 32.0%, followed by "AGA (Androgenetic Alopecia)" at 14.2% and "otolaryngology/allergology" at 13.9%, showing that it is widely used for both non-insurance and insurance-covered treatments.
As for the frequency of use, while spot usage accounted for 60.5% ("only once" at 31.1% and "a few times in the past" at 29.4%), the survey revealed that approximately 40% of users utilize the service regularly.
2. Over 80% feel the merits of online medical consultations, citing improved time efficiency.
Regarding the benefits of online medical consultations, a total of approximately 80% of respondents answered "felt it strongly" (38.2%) or "felt it somewhat" (46.6%). By age group, this reached over 90% for those in their 20s and 30s, and 80% for those in their 60s and older, indicating high evaluations across all generations.
Specific reasons included "because it reduced the time to visit the hospital" (54.2%), followed by "because the stress of waiting times at the hospital was eliminated" (51.9%), and "because medicines and prescriptions are delivered to the home, allowing the process to be completed entirely" (43.5%).
In addition, approximately 75% of experienced users feel an improvement in time performance (*1, *2), showing that it is accepted as an efficient consultation style.
*1 Efficiency of results and satisfaction relative to the time spent.
*2 Total of those who answered "strongly felt" (26.9%) and "somewhat felt" (48.2%) regarding the improvement of time performance by using online medical consultations.
Regarding anxieties about using the service, "nothing in particular" (31.7%) was the most common answer, but some expressed concerns such as "whether the doctor can judge correctly because there is no palpation" (30.4%) and "whether symptoms are properly conveyed through a camera" (28.8%). While appreciating the convenience of online medical consultations, a certain number of people feel a difference in how information is conveyed between "face-to-face consultations involving physical contact" and "non-face-to-face consultations through a screen."
3. Approximately 50% of those who have never used online medical consultations wish to use them in the future; lack of awareness is an issue.
When those who have never used online medical consultations were asked about their future intention to use them, over 50% showed a positive attitude, combining "want to use actively" (2.9%) and "want to use depending on the medical department or symptoms" (52.4%). By age group, the intention to use was highest among those in their 40s to 50s at approximately 60%.
The reasons for not using the service were mainly "because my regular clinic does not support it" (36.9%), followed by "because the option of online medical consultation did not even come to mind / I didn't know about it" (32.7%) and "because I don't know if my medical department/symptoms are suitable for online medical consultation" (30.1%). Although there is a positive attitude toward the use of online medical consultations, it is thought that further information dissemination and environmental improvements will be required to expand usage opportunities and deepen understanding.
4. Expected roles: 20s-30s seek efficiency, 60s and above prioritize "night/holiday consultations."
When asked about the situations in which they want to use online medical consultations, the top answers were "when I am too busy to find time to visit a hospital" (38.5%) and "when going out is physically difficult due to a sudden fever or cold" (38.2%).
Comparing by age group, "when I am too busy to find time to visit a hospital" (44.0%) was the most common among those in their 20s to 30s, showing a tendency to emphasize the efficiency of hospital visits. For those in their 60s and older, "when nearby hospitals are closed, such as at night or on holidays" (38.0%) was the most common, indicating a demand for securing access to medical care during off-hours.
FAQ
What is the biggest advantage of online medical consultations?
The ability to eliminate travel and waiting times, completing everything from diagnosis to receiving medication at home.
Which age groups use online medical consultations?
It is used across all ages; 20s-30s seek time efficiency, while seniors use it for after-hours and holiday care.
Why do some people not use online consultations?
The main reasons are that their regular clinics do not support it and a lack of awareness about the service.