Individuals’ Perceptions of the Efficacy, Quality, and Safety of Weight Loss Treatment Accessed via a National Telehealth Platform: Retrospective Analysis of Survey Data

Introduction: There is consensus that telehealth may be an effective and scalable solution to the nation’s ongoing obesity crisis. However, there are concerns about the quality and safety of obesity care accessed via telehealth and particularly direct-to-consumer (DTC) telehealth. The current study sought to understand the perceptions of the efficacy, quality, and safety of care accessed via telehealth among individuals who accessed weight loss treatment via a national DTC telehealth platform. Methods: An online survey, originally intended for the purposes of quality improvement, was sent to individuals who had accessed weight loss treatment via a national telehealth platform. The survey, made available between June 30, 2025, and July 3, 2025, consisted of 22 questions that queried individuals about various aspects of their experience with the platform. Data were de-identified and retrospectively analyzed, with descriptive statistics used to report on the number and percentage of participants who indicated agreement with survey items. Results: 1381 participants who accessed weight loss treatment via the platform completed the survey. Overall, participants (>70%) reported a positive experience pertaining to the quality and safety of care accessed via the platform. The majority (>80%) of participants reported a positive experience with the online clinical intake and with providers on the platform. Participants consistently (>90%) rated their overall experience with the platform as equal to or better than prior in-person health care experiences. There was variability with regard to participants’ awareness of specific safety practices implemented by the platform. Discussion: Our findings indicate that factors such as structured intake processes, ongoing communication with providers, and accessible educational resources may play important roles in fostering individuals’ confidence and trust in telehealth-delivered obesity care.