Telehealth services utilization among middle-aged and older informal caregivers: evidence from national-level data in the United States.

Introduction: Telehealth emerged as a vital tool for healthcare delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, its utilization among middle-aged and older informal caregivers remains insufficiently explored in the U.S. This study examines the relationship between informal caregiving status and telehealth service utilization, including the modes of use, motivators, and barriers experienced during the pandemic in the U.S. Methods: Data were derived from the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS6), a nationally representative, cross-sectional survey of U.S. adults ( Results: Approximately 20% reported being informal caregivers. Compared to non-caregivers, caregivers were significantly more likely to have received (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.31, 2.40) telehealth services during the pandemic. Caregivers more frequently cited convenience (66.4% vs. 56.2%; Conclusion: Informal caregivers exhibited higher rates of telehealth utilization and reported unique motivators and barriers. To enhance caregiver engagement and healthcare access, telehealth programs should optimize access and prioritize convenience, enable multi-participant visits, strengthen telehealth features that support care coordination. The findings may inform targeted telehealth policies and interventions for supporting this essential and vulnerable population.