| Sumario: | Background: Medicare annual wellness visits (AWVs) are vital for older adults' preventive care, which was transitioned to telehealth modalities during COVID‐19. This study examined primary care providers' perceptions of telehealth‐delivered AWVs and explored the factors influencing telehealth implementation using the Practical Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM). Participants and Setting: Twenty‐five primary care providers from eight clinics within an integrated health system in the Midwestern United States were interviewed. Eligibility required having conducted at least one telehealth AWV for patients aged 65 or older between March 2023 and October 2023. Methods: Semi‐structured interviews lasting 30–45 min were conducted using purposeful sampling. Topics aligned with PRISM domains were addressed: program (telehealth utilization), recipient (organizational characteristics), external environment, and implementation infrastructure. Data were analyzed using NVivo software, using inductive and deductive thematic coding. Results: Providers described telehealth AWV as flexible, convenient, and efficient. Benefits included shorter visit durations and the ability to observe patients' home environments. Challenges included difficulty conducting cognitive and mobility assessments, limitations in physical exams, and managing patients with hearing or visual impairments without caregiver support. Most providers did not perceive language as a major barrier, particularly for Spanish‐speaking patients (Program domain). Providers noted that limited internet, device access, and lack of community technology support, especially in underserved areas, hindered telehealth use. They also emphasized the importance of maintaining reimbursement parity between telehealth and in‐person visits (External Environment). Providers reported minimal formal training and inconsistent access to telehealth‐equipped rooms, though support from colleagues and workflow adaptations helped address these limitations (Implementation Infrastructure). Staff support, particularly through pre‐visit coordination, technical troubleshooting, and patient preparation, was crucial in implementing telehealth (Recipient). Conclusion: This study provided valuable insights into the implementation of telehealth AWVs and underscored the importance of organizational support for sustainable telehealth practices in primary care settings. Summary: Key points ○Primary care providers viewed telehealth as an adaptable and convenient option for annual wellness visits to continue geriatric‐specific assessments for older adults.○Teamwork, pre‐visit planning, informal learning, and external factors such as internet access and reimbursement policies were critical to successful telehealth implementation.○Cognitive and mobility assessment limitations, inadequate infrastructure, and low digital literacy among older adults were identified as key barriers to telehealth implementation.Why This Paper Matters? ○This study is among the first to explore primary care providers' perspectives on using telehealth for Medicare annual wellness visits (AWVs) for older adults, through the lens of an implementation science framework.○The Practical, Robust Implementation and Sustainability Model (PRISM) was applied to examine multilevel factors influencing the delivery of telehealth‐based AWVs in primary care settings.○The findings provide practical insights to improve the implementation and long‐term sustainability of telehealth‐based preventive care for older adults.
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