Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2022

Publication Title

Indiana Health Law Review

Keywords

telehealth, healthcare, digital divide, technology

Abstract

This Article will attempt to untangle the complicated web of providing telehealth to those populations it is potentially capable of further alienating from access to healthcare including: 1) race/minority populations, 2) aging adults, 3) individuals with disabilities, 4) non-English speakers, 5) individuals living in rural areas, 6) socioeconomic class, and 7) children, in order to advance the argument that telehealth can be successful in providing healthcare access to these populations. Rather than suggesting that telehealth simply "cannot work" for these populations, instead consideration can and must meet these individuals through technology, access, and policy developments.

First, this Article will explain how telehealth is defined and how the definition has and can continue to influence policy development. Next this Article will explore the issues surrounding the "digital divide" and how this relates to telehealth use. Then this Article will discuss how access to technology impacts particular populations. This Article will then consider legislation and policy developments both at the federal and state level that have emerged thus far that could help overcome challenges of accessibility, affordability, and useability. Finally, this Article will offer policy recommendations for ensuring that the delivery of telehealth can be accessible to those populations with potentially less access to technology to ensure telehealth's successful availability and use for these populations can continue beyond Covid-19.

Volume

19

Issue

2

Download

Share

COinS