from 2017 found that mothers make 79% of the decisions when it comes to selecting their kids' doctors and take them to 77% of appointments.
Roy Schoenberg, CEO of American Well, said mothers are driving the majority of virtual visits for things like bladder infections, strep throat and other acute infections. More than 60 percent of its users are women, and more than half are between ages 25 and 44. In some cases, telemedicine companies will send patients to the doctor if they can't diagnose them virtually, although there are some at-home tests for things like strep throat. Patients will often send photos of their rashes and other ailments that can help with a diagnosis.
Schoenberg said American Well sees a lot of patients during the cold and flu season when many parents would prefer to avoid exposing their kids to other sick children at the doctor's office.Doctor on Demand CEO Hill Ferguson said 65% of its app's users are female. About half of the company's total patients are between the ages of 25 and 45. And roughly two-thirds of the physicians on staff are women, so they can understand with what their patients are facing.
"We know that moms are our advocates, and a really important demographic," Ferguson said. "They are in the best position to influence behavior."