Providers in primary care, the ICU, ER and other parts of the front line are also utilizing telehealth more, as a primary way to perform COVID-19 and other urgent-care screenings. Primary care physicians have moved almost entirely to this practice, with half of respondents saying they use telemedicine in 75% of their cases. Office visits for those requiring in-person care but not a visit to the ER have become limited.

These changes, however, are not enough alone to salvage the loss of revenue that health systems have incurred, namely from the restrictions on elective surgical procedures, which are among the most profitable sources of revenue for hospitals. This has led to half of clinicians expecting a cut of at least 25% in April. This is especially true among providers in rural areas, with half predicting pay decreases. New York workers were the least likely to anticipate pay cuts at 17%, compared to 40% of providers in Atlanta and Dallas.


Redeployment of specialists, however, has, for the most part, been successful, with 72% nationally feeling their skills have been appropriately utilized and 84% feeling at least somewhat prepared. Nearly 40% of respondents have been redeployed to help care for COVID-19 patients, and close to three quarters in New York have been redeployed. Those who have not been redeployed, continue to care for patients as specialists, such as obstetricians and gynecologists, and feel their role is especially valuable at this time.

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