Curating the latest updates, news and announcements related to telehealth in the U.S.
Telemedicine has proven to be a valuable tool for bringing care to underserved communities, but access to telehealth services can be influenced by many factors across the nation, like access to broadband. Efforts to address these gaps are being made to ensure that all people can receive the highest level of care, regardless of geography, race, income, or disability status. As part of the Virginia Telehealth Networks equity series, here are a handful of recent headlines related to equity and telehealth services.
Acknowledging Disparities in Access to Telemedicine
A new study from Ophthalmologists at a Massachusetts eye clinic provided evidence that implementing telemedical care does not improve access to care for all Americans. The ophthalmologists analyzed all patient appointments at the Massachusetts clinic in 2020, finding that patients from historically disadvantaged communities were less likely to utilize telemedicine during the pandemic. Barriers for these patients included a lack of access to internet, electronic devices, technology and even health literacy issues. Read more about the study here.
Addressing Access and Health Equity Issues
Health disparities have been a frustrating reality in Black communities for decades. The Black Community Innovation Coalition is working to solve health equity issues among Black Americans with Telehealth and mHealth services. This effort is the largest to date that aims to address social determinants of health and non-clinical factors that affect healthcare access. Read more from mHealthIntelligence here.
Using Audio-only Telehealth to Address Gaps in Equity and Access to Care
According to a 2021 Pew Research Center survey, approximately 40 percent of low-income adults do not have home broadband services or computers and rely solely on smartphones and data service.
Until policy makers in all states pass legislation that would invest in expanding broadband access, audio-only telehealth can serve as an affordable solution for all patients. Read more from Health Affairs here.
Virginia Revamps Statewide Broadband Map to Extend Service to Underserved Areas
Many states have grown impatient of the FCC’s slow process to produce better maps of broadband internet coverage. Virginia became the latest state to step up and unveil a plan to revamp its statewide broadband map. While obstacles remain, state officials putting together their own broadband maps with more granular data is most beneficial when distributing grant money to extend service to underserved or unserved areas. Morning Consult shares more here.
Ensuring Success in Telehealth by Making Broadband Internet Services Affordable
Physicians and industry experts are urging Congress to preserve funding and flexibilities granted during the pandemic, which are expected to expire after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends. Funding and flexibilities increase access to telehealth services not only for patients, but also providers who want to leverage telehealth technologies but are prohibited by high costs as well as regulatory and licensing issues. Learn more about the importance of preserving telehealth flexibilities and funding and programs that are providing relief.
The adoption of telehealth services during the pandemic increased access to care for underserved communities, and has become a lifeline for many of the nation’s older adults. However, without significant policy changes related to funding, broadband services, and telehealth flexibilities, telemedical care will not improve access to care for all Americans. Visit our equity and telehealth initiative to learn more and consider becoming a VTN member to access webinars, additional resources and other members-only content.