Unmasking a mounting predicament at the nexus of health and internet access
In rural America, the lack of high-speed internet access is a significant barrier to the effective delivery of telehealth services. This issue, which affects millions of Americans, has been highlighted in an investigation titled "Dead Zone: Rural Hospitals" by National Investigative Reporter Caresse Jackman, in collaboration with KFF Health News.
The investigation focuses on the struggles faced by rural communities, where both doctors and high-speed internet are in short supply. In places like Appalachia, West Virginia, residents grapple with the double whammy of doctor shortages and slow or unreliable internet connections. This digital divide impedes the adoption of telehealth, electronic health records, and AI-driven health management.
One of the key challenges is the limited availability of broadband. More than 22% of Americans in rural areas lack reliable broadband, making telehealth video calls and synchronous interactions difficult or impossible. This lack of connectivity affects communication quality, the ability to conduct telehealth visits, and overall healthcare delivery efficiency.
Besides connectivity, rural telehealth faces other hurdles such as workforce shortages, lack of health IT infrastructure, challenges in patient engagement, and regulatory concerns like privacy (HIPAA), prescribing, and credentialing. Additionally, some rural patients lack updated devices or the knowledge needed to use telehealth services effectively.
Despite these challenges, efforts are being made to mitigate the digital divide. Building reliable broadband infrastructure, creating telehealth access points at community centers, and training providers and patients on technology use are some of the strategies being employed. Partnerships are also being forged to improve technology availability.
The lack of high-speed internet in rural areas is a critical bottleneck that limits the potential benefits of telehealth, including remote doctor visits, sharing patient data quickly, and comprehensive care delivery. This digital divide not only affects the access, quality, and equity of healthcare delivery but also the overall health outcomes of rural residents, particularly those with chronic illnesses like diabetes.
The investigation also uncovers a growing crisis at the intersection of health and connectivity. Decades of hospital downsizing and staffing shortages in rural counties have eroded health care services. Rural hospitals, like one in rural Alabama, have internet connections so slow that they use paper records and are unable to use modern patient monitoring systems.
Innovative solutions are being explored to bring basic telehealth services to those who need it the most. The investigation highlights spotlight stories of small towns that are finding ways to overcome the challenges posed by the digital divide. Telemedicine, when delivered effectively, has been proven to improve patient outcomes, especially for patients with chronic illnesses.
As Congress debates the next approach to expanding broadband, it is crucial to address the unique challenges faced by rural areas to ensure that all Americans have access to quality healthcare, regardless of their location.
[1] Rural Health Information Hub. (n.d.). Telehealth in Rural America. Retrieved from https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/telehealth
[2] National Rural Health Association. (n.d.). Telehealth. Retrieved from https://www.ruralhealthweb.org/topics/telehealth
[3] National Telehealth Policy Resource Center. (n.d.). Telehealth in Rural America. Retrieved from https://ruraltelehealth.org/policy-resources/
[4] Rural Health Information Hub. (2020). Telehealth in Rural America: Challenges and Opportunities. Retrieved from https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/files/rural-telehealth-challenges-opportunities-report
[5] Federal Communications Commission. (2020). Broadband Data Collection. Retrieved from https://www.fcc.gov/broadbanddata
[1] The investigation "Dead Zone: Rural Hospitals" by National Investigative Reporter Caresse Jackman, in collaboration with KFF Health News, emphasizes the need for advancements in science, particularly in the health-and-wellness sector, to improve rural communities' access to modern healthcare.
[2] In rural America, where telehealth services could greatly benefit health outcomes, the lack of high-speed internet access hinders science-driven health advancements like AI-driven health management and electronic health records.
