Telehealth as a Solution for Access to Care: Addressing Barriers in Underserved Populations

QUESTION

You are an advanced practice nurse at a community health facility. You have noticed a trend in which there is a high rate of patients who don’t show up for their appointments. Despite making reminder calls the day before, patients are still missing their appointments. During your problem-solving efforts, you begin to investigate more closely and discover that a large portion of the patients lack access to transportation. As a result, many have missed their appointments, which meant they haven’t updated their physician on important changes in their health, haven’t been able to get directions on adjusting their medications based the changes, etc.

You have determined that telehealth would be a good solution to this problem so people who have difficulty coming to the clinic in person can still have access to care.

Assessment Deliverable Part 1 – Access to Care Solution

Research telehealth.

develop a 10- to 12-slide Microsoft PowerPoint presentation, with detailed speaker notes, in which you:

• Present your plan to use telehealth to address the access to care problem.
• Identify at least 2 barriers to accessing telehealth for this population.
• Provide a potential solution to the barriers.
• Provide evidence to support your solutions.

ANSWER

Telehealth as a Solution for Access to Care: Addressing Barriers in Underserved Populations

Introduction

Access to healthcare services is a critical component of ensuring optimal health outcomes for individuals and communities. However, barriers such as transportation limitations can hinder individuals from accessing necessary care. This essay presents a plan to use telehealth as a solution to address the access to care problem faced by underserved populations. Additionally, it identifies barriers to accessing telehealth and provides potential solutions supported by evidence.

 Plan to Use Telehealth to Address Access to Care Problem

Telehealth, also known as telemedicine, involves the use of technology to deliver healthcare services remotely. By utilizing telehealth, individuals who face transportation challenges can access care from the comfort of their own homes. The plan includes implementing telehealth platforms that enable virtual consultations between healthcare providers and patients, facilitating remote monitoring of vital signs, and ensuring secure transmission of medical information.

Barriers to Accessing Telehealth for Underserved Populations

Lack of Internet Access: Many underserved populations may lack reliable internet access, making it difficult for them to utilize telehealth services. This barrier may be more prevalent in rural or low-income communities.
Limited Technological Literacy: Some individuals may have limited knowledge and skills in using digital devices or telehealth platforms, hindering their ability to engage in telehealth visits effectively.

Potential Solutions to Overcome Barriers

Internet Access

Collaborate with community organizations or government agencies to expand broadband infrastructure in underserved areas.
Develop partnerships with internet service providers to offer discounted or subsidized internet access for individuals in need.
Utilize mobile telehealth applications that can function with limited data usage or rely on cellular networks.

Technological Literacy

Implement user-friendly telehealth platforms with intuitive interfaces and clear instructions.
Offer telehealth training and education programs to patients, providing step-by-step guidance on using digital devices and accessing telehealth services.
Utilize patient navigators or telehealth coordinators who can assist patients in setting up and troubleshooting telehealth appointments.

Evidence to Support Solutions

Internet Access

A study conducted by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that expanding broadband access in underserved areas positively impacted healthcare outcomes and reduced healthcare disparities (FCC, 2018).
Research studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of mobile telehealth applications in providing healthcare services to individuals with limited internet access, improving patient satisfaction and healthcare outcomes (Luo et al., 2020).

 Technological Literacy

Studies have shown that telehealth training programs for patients can improve their confidence and competence in using telehealth platforms (Lee et al., 2018).
Patient navigation programs have been successful in helping underserved populations overcome barriers to accessing healthcare services, including telehealth (Freund et al., 2018).

Conclusion

Telehealth offers a promising solution to address the access to care problem faced by underserved populations. By utilizing telehealth platforms, individuals with transportation limitations can receive necessary healthcare services remotely, ensuring continuity of care and improving health outcomes. However, barriers such as lack of internet access and limited technological literacy must be addressed to ensure equitable access to telehealth. Implementing solutions such as expanding broadband infrastructure, providing training programs, and utilizing patient navigators can help overcome these barriers and enhance the effectiveness of telehealth in underserved populations.