A study by the US University of Indiana signals the risk of inequalities to be bridged. In particular, due to limited access to the Internet and a lack of appropriate devices, many patients could be excluded from telemedicine services and Covid has not changed the scenario much.
Is telemedicine the same for everyone? A study by the US University of Indiana signals the risk of inequalities to be bridged. In particular, due to thelimited access to the Internet on a landline and / or cellular network and for lack of appropriate devices, many patients could be excluded from telemedicine services and Covid has not changed the scenario much. In two surveys (2019 and 2020) carried out on patients of the health service Medicaid, the one reserved for the poorest, 30% of respondents had limited phone data plans, no data plans, or didn’t have a smartphone. The patients with a PC usable for a television were 5.4% and 7.9%. In 2019, only 37.5% had a smartphone that could be used for video viewing compared to 36.0% in 2020. No tools available, on the other hand, for 18.5% and 15.7%. The interest in televisions reflects the technological and cultural gap: 30% against 37% of the total. The survey data shows that 63% of patients in the weakest groups in Indiana are not interested in television.
Even in Italy, weak groups at risk
The conclusion of the study that patient access to tools (PC, network, smartphone and data plans) strongly correlated with their interest in the use of telemedicine visits. From my daily experience, for the weaker groups the similar problem in Italy and a real computer literacy plan would be needed.
* Coordinator of digital transformation Asl Frosinone, Lazio region
October 20, 2021 (change October 20, 2021 | 06:33)
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