Putting equity at the forefront as telehealth advances: A hospitalist perspective
Photo Credit: Sump et al. / MahaArhat
Telehealth is a healthcare delivery modality that remotely connects patients to providers, and implementation of telehealth programs skyrocketed during the recent COVID-19 pandemic.1 Telehealth may aid in acute care during a hospitalization (e.g., teleconsultation, virtual rounding), discharge planning (telehealth discharge huddles, remote patient monitoring), or providing acute care at home (hospital at home).1-3 These care models present a unique opportunity to improve access to care but also present a risk of widening healthcare gaps, particularly for patients with lower access to technology and lower digital literacy.
From this perspective, we highlight new applications of telehealth relevant to the hospitalist. We focus largely on advancements in pediatric care but recognize this is relevant to adult hospitalists as well. Our aim is to identify critical threats to equity and corresponding mitigation strategies to prevent widening gaps in access to care (Table 1). We also discuss the importance of centering telehealth research initiatives on a health-equity framework, investing in telehealth provider education, and advocating for sustainable telehealth licensing and reimbursement policies.
